New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 157

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

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A native Texan, Mr. Wesson was born in Wash- ington County on January 27th, 1866. His father, James M. Wesson, came to Galveston, Texas, in 1837, and was among the pioneers of the Island City. His mother, Nannie (Byrd) Wesson, was born in Washington County, Texas. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Nava- sota, after which he became a student of Soule Uni- versity, Chapel Hill, Texas.

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Mr. Wesson was married at Navasota on January 1st, 1896, to Miss Ada Schumacher, a daughter of Henry Schumacher, who came to Galveston, Texas, in 1850, from Europe. In 1856, he removed to Grimes County, where, prior to organizing the Schumacher Oil Works, he was engaged in the lum- ber business and manufactured sash, doors, blinds, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Wesson have one son-Henry Schumacher Wesson. Mr. Wesson is a member of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce and the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in both of which he takes an active interest. He is a member of the Methodist Church and has been superintendent of the Sunday School of this denomination here for more than eighteen years. In the midst of his pri- vate work, Mr. Wesson finds time and opportunity to assist every worthy cause for the good of his city.

ARD TEMPLEMAN, of Navasota, Texas, has been engaged in the merchandising business here all his life, and is widely known in the business circles of Texas as one of the lead- ing merchants of the state. Mr. Templeman is the owner of the R. B. Templeman and Son establish- ment of this city, dealers in ladies' ready-to-wear, men's clothing, groceries and farm implements, and is the largest and finest store of its kind in Nava- sota. A large and complete stock is carried, with a valuation of $150,000.00 and this store occupies a beautiful and commodious two-story brick building which is one of the finest buildings in Grimes Coun- ty. The stock of ladies' wear carried by this firm would be a credit to stores in towns many times the size of Navasota. The firm of R. B. Templeman and Son are large cotton factors, and are engaged in buying, selling and exporting cotton on a large scale. In addition to his large mercantile store, Mr. Tem- pleman is interested in many of the city's business institutions, and while he has confined the greater part of his investments and business interests to Navasota and Grimes County, he has many interests in other portions of the state. Mr. Templeman be- gan his business career in his father's store here as a boy, and has learned every detail in connection with its operation. Among the various institutions with which Mr. Templeman is associated here are: President of the Navasota Compress Company, presi- dent of the Navasota Telephone Company, secre- tary-treasurer of the Schumacher Oil Works, which is one of the largest mills in Texas for cotton seed products, and many others. He is vice president of the Houston Production Company and is an officer and director in many other business projects which are located in other sections of Texas. He is also a large land owner and extensive farmer, owning many thousands of acres of land in Grimes and other counties of Texas. He has under cultivation more than 2500 acres in cotton alone, and owns more than two thousand head of cattle, many of which are high-bred stock. Mr. Templeman has always been active in the civic matters of his city, and his heart interests are for the good of Navasota and her people. For sixteen years he served as alderman of Navasota, and after the city adopted the commission form of government he was one of the first commis- sioners.

A native of Navasota, Texas, Mr. Templeman was born on April 18th, 1869. His father, R. B. Templeman (deceased), was associated with the

growth and industrial development of Navasota since 1860. In 1865, following the close of the Civil War, he came to Navasota and opened the business estab- lishment, small at that time, but which grew into the immense business establishment known through- out the state as R. B Templeman and Son. His son, the subject of this sketch, joining him in very early manhood. He was an ex-Confederate soldier, with the rank of major, and was known as Major Tem- pleman, and best known as a liberal, helpful man, who befriended all mankind, regardless of color or religion, but who did not advertise his many chari- ties. He was a contributor to and helper of all worthy civic and business enterprises, and remained actively aligned with the best interests of his city until his death. Major Templeman was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, on June 24th, 1830. Stories of America and its possibilities stirred the imagina- tion of young Templeman, and at the age of sixteen he set out for America. After landing in New York, Boston appealed to him and he spent one year there. He answered an advertisement for a young man to work in a Texas store, secured the position and came with his employer from New York to Palestine, Texas. There he served as a clerk for three years, when, with a partner, he opened an establishment known as Elson and Templeman. Eight years later they removed their store to Navasota, in order to take advantage of the boom created there by the building of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad through that town, and in order to have better ship- ping facilities. The business, which was established in 1865, was on the site which now is occupied with the handsome brick building, which is the home of R. B. Templeman and Son. Major Templeman was married on June 4th, 1868, to Miss Annie Hunter of Brownsville, Tennessee. Mrs. Templeman died in December, 1880. Major Templeman was a member of the Presbyterian Church. It would be hard to name an enterprise in Navasota in which he was not or had not at some time been interested. In addi- tion to his mercantile establishment, he was inter- ested in the cotton compresses, cotton seed oil mills, numerous gins, mills, banks, telephone company, and had numerous Brazos and Navasota river bottom holdings in the form of splendid plantations. He had been a part and parcel of the growth of South Texas from the wilds of pre-Civil War days to its present state of high development. The love and respect of the thousands who knew him in life con- stitutes a splendid tribute to the success of his la- bors. Mr. Ward Templeman's education was ob- tained in the public schools of Navasota, after which he attended Southwestern University at Georgetown, Texas, and later became a student of Eastman Busi- ness College of New York.

Mr. Templeman was married at Navasota in 1896, to Miss Annie Foster, a daughter of W. J. Foster of Navasota, a pioneer settler, large land owner and extensive farmer. Mr. Templeman is past president of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce and is active in this organization. He is a director in the Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Navasota Fishing Club. Mr. Templeman is one of the leaders of Navasota in the business and social circles, and is regarded as one of this city's most progressive and highly esteemed citizens, ever ready to contribute his material aid and time toward the upbuilding of his beloved city.

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HARLES EDGAR HENRY of Navasota, Texas, is well known in the financial cir- cles of Texas, and also as an educator, hav- ing spent his entire life in these two fields of activity. Mr. Henry is cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of this city, and has been associated with this institution since 1898, and has had an important part in the success achieved by this bank. He was first in the capacity of bookkeeper, and in 1900 was made assistant cashier and in 1916 be- came cashier, and has continued in this office since that time. The First National Bank of Navasota, was chartered on March 11th, 1890, with a capital stock of $50,000.00 and in 1910 had a surplus of $100,000.00 and the capital was increased at that time from the surplus. The capital stock is now $100,000.00, with a surplus of $200,000.00. The orig- inal capital stock of this bank has been paid back seven times. Other officers of the First National Bank of Navasota are: Tom M. Owen, president, and E. H. Terrell and Ewing Norwood, vice presidents. In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Henry is vice president of the Norwood Investment Company of this city, which has a capital stock of $60,000.00 and is doing a splendid business. This company is a subsidiary of the First National Bank and is en- gaged in handling paper and loans which the bank can not handle. Other officers of the Norwood In- vestment Company are: Ewing Norwood, president, and one of the organizers; Shields Norwood, secre- tary and treasurer. This company was organized in 1907 and are doing a thriving business, which has gradually increased since its organization. Mr. Henry started his career in the business world as a school teacher, and continued in this work for some time, before he engaged in the banking busi- ness. He has been steadily engaged in the banking business since he entered this field of activity, and is an untiring worker for the good of the insti- tutions with which he is associated and also for the growth and advencement of his city. Mr. Henry, since engaging in the banking business, has not lost sight of educational matters, and for more than eighteen years has been a member of the school board of Navasota and is now the president of this organization, and is an ardent worker in educational matters.

A native Texan, Mr. Henry was born in Robert- son County on August 22nd, 1870. His parents, Wil- liam Henry and Sarah Henry, were well known and highly esteemed farmers of Brazos County. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Brazos County, after which he attended business college, and still later entered the high school at Bryan, Texas, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1890.

Mr. Henry was married at Roans Prairie, Texas, in 1896, to Miss Ebbie Walker, a member of a well known Grimes County family. They have two children, Mattie Pearl, and Charles Edgebert Henry, Jr., who is a student of the A. and M. College of Texas. Mr. Henry has been identified with the business and social life of Navasota since locating here, and is a director and treasurer of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce, and is past treasurer and a director in the Kiwanis Club, and a director in the Navasota Country Club. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is past chancellor of this organization. Mr. Henry is a member of the Pres-

byterian Church and is an elder in the local church and clerk of the session of this denomination. For a period of more than twenty-three years he has been president of the Sunday School of the Presby- terian Church and is active in all church work. Mr. Henry is regarded as one of the most progressive citizens of Navasota, and has always taken an ac- tive interest in the civic improvement of this city. He is ambitious for his institutions and Navasota and is a constant worker for the good of both.

OBERT L. RENICK of Navasota, Texas, has been cashier of the Farmers State Guaranty Bank of this city since this bank was or- ganized in 1913 and has had much to do with the success of this institution. The capital stock of this bank is $50,000.00 and at the close of business on December 31st, 1923, had a surplus fund of $20,500.00 and net undivided profits of $967.57, with deposits at that time of $317,150.12. Prior to becoming associated with the Farmers State Guar- anty Bank, Mr. Renick was for several years asso- ciated in an official capacity with other banks in Texas and also organized one strong institution in the state. He started his career in the business world as an engineer with the C. A. Sims Com- pany of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and remained with this company for one year when he went with the First National Bank at Greencastle, Indiana, and remained with this institution for one year. He than came to Texas and for one year was with the Merchants National Bank of Houston. He then went to Cold Springs, Texas, where he organized the San Jacinto State Bank, and remained as cashier of this institution for a period of five years. He then came here and accepted the position which he now holds, and where he is regarded as one of the leaders in the banking circles of this portion of the state. The Farmers State Guaranty Bank is do- ing a splendid business, and is growing rapidly, and is destined to become one of the leading financial institutions of Grimes County.

Mr. Renick was born at Greencastle, Indiana, on October 25th, 1886. His father, Henry S. Renick, al- so a native of Greencastle, was for many years en- gaged in the mercantile business there and was well known throughout the state, and was also a member of a prominent Indiana family. His education was obtained at De Pauw University, and received from this institution both the A. B. and B. S. Degrees.

Mr. Renick was married at Houston, Texas, in 1911, to Miss Sadie C. Bridges, a native Texan and a daughter of Don Bridges, well known in the lum- ber and business circles of Texas where for many years he was associated with the Kirby Lumber Company. They have one son, Robert L. Renick, Jr. Mr. Renick is a member of the Scottish Rite body of the Masonic fraternity and is a Shriner of El Mina Temple, Galveston. He is also a member of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce and is a director in this organization, in which he has al- ways taken an active interest. He holds member- ship in the Kiwanis club and all the social and civic organizations of this city, where he is regarded as one of the most progressive and public spirited cit- izens. Mr. Renick never loses an opportunity to speak a good word for Navasota and believes that this portion of the country, surrounded by the finest farming lands in the entire state, is entering on an era of great prosperity in all lines.

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ENRY LA FAYETTE LEWIS, attorney at law of Navasota, Texas, has for many years been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession in this city, and during this period he has been identified with many of the most im- portant cases which have come before the courts here. Mr. Lewis is engaged in a general practice of law, and is regarded as one of the leading attorneys of this portion of the state. In addition to his large private practice, he is attorney for both the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Santa Fe Railroad in this district. Mr. Lewis was admitted to the bar on June 14th, 1899, when he established his home and office in Navasota, where his broad views and grasp of public affairs gradually became known to the public, and in 1901 he was elected to the office of city attorney here. He held this office until 1904. Twelve years later he was elected to the office of Mayor, and served for four years as the executive head of this city, and his regime was one of great accomplishments, among which was the installa- tion of a modern sewer system and disposal plant. He has always taken an active part in the politics of his city, county and state and for a period of fourteen years served as chairman of the County Democratic Executive Committee. Mr. Lewis has been the recipient of many offices of honor and trust at the hands of his fellow men, and in 1920, was elected to the state senate, and served in the 37th and 38th Legislative bodies with distinction to himself and his constituents. He was re-elected in 1924 without opposition and drew a four-year term. Mr. Lewis is also engaged in farming and stock raising. He is an advocate of better cattle and bet- ter farming methods in order to produce the maxi- mum crops on the minimum acreage.

Mr. Lewis was born at Eufala, Alabama, on De- cember 3rd, 1868, but was brought to Texas, by his parents when three months old. His father, Benja- min Griffin Lewis, was throughout his life engaged in farming. His mother was Miss Amarintha Rogers, a member of a well known Alabama family. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Grimes County, after which he be- came a student of the Sam Houston Teachers Col- lege of Huntsville, Texas. Later he entered the University of Texas, where he was graduated with the LL. B. Degree. He then went to Tulane Univer- sity, for a post-graduate course. Mr. Lewis was mar- ried at Navasota on April 12th, 1904, to Miss Ella C. Cox, a native of Georgia and a daughter of a prominent lumberman of Central Texas. She is a graduate of Willis College, Montgomery County, Texas. They have one son, H. L. Lewis, Jr., twenty years of age. Mr. Lewis is a member of both the York and Scottish Rite bodies of the Masonic fra- ternity, and is a member of Arabia Temple Shrine of Houston. He has for many years been prominent in the Masonic circles of his community and state. He is a member also of the Knights of Pythias and the I. O. O. F., in both of which he takes an active interest. He holds membership in the Kiwanis Club. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce and takes a keen interest in the work- ings of this organization. He has identified him- self with the civic, commercial, religious, political, and educational life of his city and community and his interests are varied and many. He has shown his faith in Grimes County and Navasota by his invest-

ment interests here. Mr. Lewis is a staunch and consistent member of the Baptist Church, and is president of the board of deacons of the First Baptist Church of Navasota and is active in all church work. He is teacher of the Men's Bible Class, and has been associated with this organization for many years and has always been interested in this laudable work. Mr. Lewis is an ardent worker for the good of his city, state and people and never loses an opportunity to speak a good word for Navasota, where he is regarded as one of this city's most pro- gressive and public spirited citizens.

OE N. BAYLOR of Navasota, Texas, has for many years been engaged in the lumber business here and is well known in the lumber circles of South Texas. Mr. Bay- lor has charge of the Baylor Lumber Company of Navasota, which is a branch of the Spencer-Sauer Lumber Company of Houston, in which Mr. Baylor is a large stockholder. The Baylor Lumber Company operate a retail lumber yard and sell sash doors, and all kinds of building materials, also paint, lime, cement, etc. This company has a splendid lo- cation and carry a large and complete stock, and are doing a large volume of business. In addi- tion to his lumber business, Mr. Baylor has since 1915 had the agency here for Buick cars. The business had grown to such proportions, that in 1919, Mr. Baylor took a partner in the business, which is now known as the Baylor-Dawson Buick Company. This firm sells Buick automobiles, with a large and complete service and parts department, and own and operate a large gasoline and oil sta- tion in connection with this business. This firm is doing a large automobile business in this por- tion of the state. Mr. Baylor was in charge of his father's farm here when thirteen years of age, and at the age of eighteen he had complete charge of his father's farm and cattle interests, and had al- so started in these fields of activity for himself. In 1895, he engaged in the lumber business here, and conducted same until 1903, when he disposed of his lumber interests and removed to Yoakum, Texas, on account of his wife's health. After residing in Yoakum for a period of five years, he returned here, and in 1912, opened up this retail lumber business, which he has conducted since that time. Mr. Bay- lor has always owned and operated farms, and owns in fee more than two thousand acres of fine farm land in Grimes County, which he has cultivated by tenants, making cotton the main crop. He also has at all times raised cattle, and owns more than five hundred head of good grade animals now, be- sides hogs and other farm stock.

A native of Navasota, Texas, Mr. Baylor was born on January 2nd, 1868, and is living now on the lot where he was born. His father, Dr. J. N. Baylor, came to Texas in 1856 and removed to Navasota in 1863, and served throughout the Civil War as a brigadier surgeon in the Confederate Army. His mother, Mrs. Margaret J. Baylor, is now living in Navasota at the age of eighty-seven years, and is the second oldest person now residing in this city. His education was obtained in the public schools of Navasota, which he left at an early age in or- der to engage in farm work.

Mr. Baylor was married at Navasota in 1898, to Miss May White, a daughter of Dave White, who came to Grimes County in 1840, where he became

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a pioneer farmer and stock raiser, which he followed throughout his life. Mr. Baylor is a member of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce, and is a director of this organization. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has been an elder of this church for more than two decades. Mr. Baylor has always been an enthusiastic booster for Navasota, and gives liberally of his time and means to fur- ther any project for the progress and advancement of his city.

ENRY NAUL SANDALL of Navasota, Tex- as, is well known in the railroad circles of Texas, having been engaged in this line of work since 1907. Mr. Sandall is the joint freight and passenger agent of the Southern Pacific, the International and Great Northern and the Santa Fe railroads here. He has entire supervision of the freight and passenger business of these three rail- roads in this district, and Navasota being located in one of the most prosperous sections of the state, the business in and out of this point is heavy dur- ing the entire year. Mr. Sandall owns and operates his farm, containing about five hundred acres in Grimes County, and also raises cattle and hogs, and is enthusiastic on the subject of farming, and is an advocate of modern farming methods. He is a leader in the civic affairs of this city, and de- serves much credit for the active part he has taken in these matters and aided constantly, until all civic projects which have been undertaken have been brought to a successful termination. Mr. Sandall started his business career in the cattle business and later was engaged in a retail grain store at Roans Prairie, which he operated until coming to Navasota. He first entered the employ of the International and Great Northern Railroad here, and has been associated with this railroad since that time, and later became the joint agent of the three railroads entering this city, which he has success- fully handled.

A native Texan, Mr. Sandall was born at Roans Prairie, Grimes County, on February 26th, 1889. His father, Henry Sandall, was throughout his life one of the leading farmers of Grimes County and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of this portion of the state. His mother was Miss Mattie Lindley, a member of a prominent Texas family. His education was obtained at Huntsville, Texas, and later he attended a business college at San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. Sandall was married at Navasota in 1911 to Miss Annie Dunham Greenwood, a daughter of Frank B. Greenwood, one of the most prominent lawyers of this part of Texas, and served for some time as state senator from Grimes and contiguous counties, and is well remembered for the work he accom- plished in this law making body of the Lone Star State. They have one son, Junior, ten years of age. Mr. Sandall is a member of the York Rite body of the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Arabia Temple Shrine of Houston. He is also a member of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce and is a director in this organization. He holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and is a director in the Kiwanis Club of this city. In the midst of his private work Mr. Sandall finds oppor- tunity to give his time and assistance to all move- ments of a public nature, having to do with the

advancement and betterment of his city. He is a leader in all affairs of this city, and is a constant worker, never losing an opportunity to speak a good word for his city and county, where he is popular in all circles, and is recognized as one of the most progressive citizens of Navasota and Grimes County.

UTHER GAMBRELL ANDREWS, Navaso- ta, Texas, began his career as an educator when nineteen years of age, and has con- tinued in this laudable work since that time. Mr. Andrews is superintendent of the Nava- sota public schools, and the schools here are of a character which reflects the spirit of the superin- tendent having the welfare of the schools at heart. There are in this city three white schools and one for the colored youth which are conducted on a plane of higher education which has placed Navasota in the front rank among the progressive educational cities of its size in the country. There are enrolled in the two ward schools, four hundred pupils and in the high school two hundred under the able tutelage of a corps of thirty teachers, selected for their abil- ity and fitness to fill these responsible positions. There are five hundred negro pupils in the negro school. In the school library, which is one of the largest and best in the state are seven thousand volumes, which all pupils have access to. The large manual training school which is operated in con- nection with the public schools, is modern and com- plete in every detail. Mr. Andrews came to Nava- sota in 1912 as teacher of languages, and was later made principal of the high school. He continued in this position until he entered the army of the World War. He enlisted in August, 1918, and was as- signed to the signal corps and was sent to Camp Vail, New Jersey. He later went to Yale University to attend the Officer's Training School there, where he remained for four months and was discharged in December, 1918.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 157

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