New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 158

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

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Mr. Andrews was born at Corinth, Mississippi, on August 7th, 1888. His father, W. J. Andrews, was for many years engaged in the general mercantile business at that place and was well known in the business circles of Mississippi. He later removed to Brownwood, Texas, in 1893, and the subject of this sketch attended the public and high schools of Brownwood, where his preliminary education was obtained. He later became a student of Howard Payne College at Brownwood, and still later attended the University of Texas for a period of two years and graduated from that institution with the A. B. Degree, after which he began teaching.

Since coming to Navasota, Mr. Andrews has not only identified himself with the educational life of the city, but with the business and social life as well. He is a member of the local Chamber of Com- merce and takes an interest in this organization, and is a director in the Young Men's Progressive League. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., being a member of the York Rite. He also holds membership in the American Legion and the Kiwanis Club. Mr. Andrews has done much toward the development of educational interest in Navasota and Grimes County, and is popular in all circles, where he is regarded as one of the leaders in his pro- fession and one of the most progressive citizens of this portion of the Lone Star State.

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S. FELDER, whose activities for more than a quarter of a century have identified him with Huntsville, is one of the leading mer- chants here and also has various other interests in local business enterprises. Mr. Felder is a member of the firm of the Felder Dry Goods Company, which was established in Huntsville in August, 1898, by Mr. Felder, as the Meacham Dry Goods Company. Five years later the business name was changed to Felder and Henderson, con- tinuing under that name from 1903 until 1906, at which time Mr. Felder took over the entire interest, running the business alone until 1916, when he took in his sons, J. C. Felder and Victor H. Felder, as his partners. Mr. Meacham, who Mr. Felder backed in starting the store, is now one of the leading mer- chants of Fort Worth and well known in merchan- dising circles throughout the state. The Felder Dry Goods Company is one of the largest dry goods stores at Huntsville, with eight complete depart- ments, including shoes and ready-to-wear, and em- ploys a force of ten salespeople. Mr. Felder is also vice president of the Huntsville State Bank and president and director of the Huntsville Cotton Oil Company, and also has various other business inter- ests here.

S. S. Felder was born in South Carolina the eleventh of November, 1858, the son of C. C. Felder and Mildred (Corley) Felder. The elder Mr. Felder, a native of South Carolina, came to Texas in 1865, locating first in Washington County, later going to Galveston and still later to Montgomery County, where his death occurred at the age of ninety years. He was a Baptist minister. Mrs. Felder, a native of Georgia, died at San Antonio. S. S. Felder was educated in the schools of Washington County, later attending school at Galveston. He then began work on boats out of Galveston doing a coastwise trade and later became captain of a line of schooners and owner of a number of boats doing coastwise trade. In 1880, on account of ill health, he left the water and began to travel over Texas, with a photographer as his partner, and from him learned the photographer's business. He came to Walker County in 1882, locating at Huntsville, where he opened a photographic studio, and also went in the real estate business. In this latter line he made a big success, buying and selling lands and city property and taking an active part in development work of that day. During this time he built a store building in Huntsville, and being unable to lease it advantageously at that time made the decision to back Mr. Meacham in opening a dry goods store. This he did, five years later taking over the store himself, Mr. Meacham going to Fort Worth.

Mr. Felder was married in Washington County, Texas, the fourth of February, 1884, to Miss Simmie Girtman, a native of Louisiana, who came to Texas with her parents as a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Felder have three children-Norma, widow of the late C. B. Henderson, and who has two children, Norma and Ruth Henderson; Victor H. Felder, with his father in the firm, and who is married and has one child, Norma Katherine Felder; and J. C. Felder, also with the firm, and who is married and has one child, Jack Girtman Felder. Mr. Felder has always taken a deep interest in the development of Hunts- ville, investing his money in such a way as to help build up the town, and has been a real civic leader.

THOMAS BRYANT TERRELL, of Navasota, Texas, has had an experience in the mercan- tile business which extends over a period of fifteen years, during which time he has served in every capacity of this business up to man- ager and owner. Mr. Terrell is the owner of one- half interest in the E. H. Terrell and Company store of this city, and has been manager of this establish- ment since 1915. E. H. Terrell and Company was organized about thirty years ago by Mr. A. P. Terrell, which he successfully conducted until his death in 1915. This firm name continued until Janu- ary, 1918, when the subject of this sketch purchased one-half interest in the business and the firm name became E. H. Terrell and Company. This is a gen- eral store, with a full and complete line of dry goods, men's and women's clothing of all kinds, groceries and farm implements of all kinds. The store is splendidly located, and the large stock is valued at $75,000.00, making it the second largest store of Navasota. Ten experienced people are employed in the operation of this establishment. Mr. Terrell started his career as a young man on the farm near Navasota, and remained in this line of activity until 1909, when he engaged in the general mercantile business here. After two years in this business, he removed to Houston. After one year spent in that South Texas city, he returned to Navasota and en- tered the employ of the A. P. Terrell general mer- chandising store here.

A native of Navasota, Texas, Mr. Terrell was born on March 13th, 1888. His parents, R. J. Ter- rell and Lillian (Bauguss) Terrell, were among the pioneer settlers of Grimes County, where they were engaged in farming and were large land owners. His parents were among the best known citizens of this portion of the state, having resided here for more than sixty-five years. His education was ob- tained in the public and high schools of Navasota.

Mr. Terrell was married at Navasota in 1912, to Miss Mary Kennedy, a daughter of Mrs. Lydia Ken- nedy, a well known resident of Grimes County. Mr. Terrell is a member of the York Rite body of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Shriner of Arabia Temple of Houston. He is also a member of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce and the local Ki- wanis Club, in both of which he takes an active inter- est. He is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Terrell is one of the leaders in the business circles of Navasota, and is progressive in all his business methods, making an effort at all times to keep up- to-date with his business, in which he has succeeded admirably. He is optimisitc as to the future of Navasota and Grimes County, and he believes that this portion of the state is entering into an era of great business prosperity in all lines. With the im- proved methods of farming and dairying which is now becoming general in this part of Texas, the fu- ture is bright for every enterprise here.

UY HAMILTON WINFREE, who is well known in Harris County and South Texas for his financial and business affairs, was for several years identified with local bank- ing activities at Goose Creek. Mr. Winfree served as active vice president of the Guaranty State Bank of Goose Creek for several years. He came with this institution in 1919, and became vice president . 1923. During this period he was the youngest active banker in this part of Harris County. He

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was also associated with the Guaranty State Bank at Barber's Hill. Retiring from his connections in Goose Creek Mr. Winfree went to California and later to Mexico.

Guy Hamilton Winfree was born at Barber's Hill, the thirteenth of August, 1896, son of E. H. and Elizabeth Hunt Winfree, his father a banker, land owner and business man of that city for many years. After finishing the schools at Barber's Hill, Mr. Winfree took a business course at Houston, after which he spent two years in a furniture store in that city. In May, 1916, he volunteered for border duty, with the Houston Light Guards, and spent twelve months on the border. He was then trans- ferred to Galveston, in the infantry, and later to Corpus Christi, Freeport, Fort Worth and Spring- field, where he was transferred to the ordinance department, as non-commissioned officer, and re- turned to Fort Worth. He sailed from New York City in July, 1918, for France, and took part in the fighting at the Argonne front for twenty-two days, during which time he escaped without being either sick or wounded. He was returned from the front and made instructor on the Browning automatic and machine guns, and in June, 1919, was returned to the states, receiving his discharge at Fort Worth soon afterward. He then spent six months in col- lege, later going to the oil fields at Barber's Hill, for the Gulf Coast Oil Company. After a few months there he came to Goose Creek, with the Guaranty State Bank.

Mr. Winfree was married at Houston in 1920, to Miss Alice Bond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bond of Bay City. Mr. Winfree is a Mason, both York and Scottish Rites, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine at Houston. He is a member of the Amer- ican Legion and takes a deep interest in the various activities of the legion, especially in aiding the dis- abled veterans of the World War. Mr. Winfree has made many friends in the business world of South Texas and is highly regarded by all who know him.

UDGE W. N. WILLIAMS, who has during his residence at Houston been called upon to fill several positions of public nature, has spent many years in Harris County, and is known as a man of broad business and public ex- perience. Judge Williams recently completed a term as Justice of Peace of Harris County, Precinct Num- ber One, Place Number One,' an office to which he was elected in November, 1922, and which he entered the following January. In this office he demon- strated a soundness of judgment and a never fail- ing interest in the duties involved, that won him many friends.

Judge Williams was born at Harrisburg, Harris County, the twenty-seventh of January, 1880. His father, Tom Williams, one of the pioneers of Harris County, came here as a young man and was a cattle- man until his death. His mother, whose maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Moore, was also a mem- ber of a prominent pioneer family. Judge Williams attended the public schools of Harrisburg, later tak- ing a business course at the Massey Business Col- lege. Until he was twenty-two years old he worked on various ranches, both in Harris County, and in Indian Territory, after which he spent four years with the Southern Pacific Railway, in the car de- partment. Eight years he served as city street

superintendent at Houston, under Mayors Camp- bell, Hutchinson and Amerman. He then ran for City Street and Bridge Commissioner, in a race with fourteen, coming out second place. Two years as a contractor for road construction work followed, at the close of which he was elected Justice of Peace in Precinct Number One, Place Number One. Since leaving this office he has devoted his atten- tion to his personal affairs and is engaged in the automobile business.

Judge Williams was married at Hempstead, Tex- as, the twenty-fifth of December, 1904, to Miss Artilia Pike, a native of that city. Judge and Mrs. Williams have one daughter, Jewel, wife of Val- demar Frederick, representative of the Peden Iron and Steel Company, at Mexia, and whose marriage occurred the thirtieth of June, 1923. The family home in Houston is at 3001 North Main Street, and is the seat of a pleasant hospitality. Judge Williams has many friends, both in political, business and social circles, and has the highest regard of all who know him.

RNEST SCHWENKE, since his arrival at Houston many years ago, has been identi- fied with the floral and nursery business, and is a recognized specialist on mushroom culture and in many lines of seed growing and breeding. Mr. Schwenke is general manager of the Brazos Greenhouses, one of the finest and best known nurseries in the city. This company has ten thousand square feet under glass, and raises fine cut flowers and blooming plants, all kinds of shrubbery and potted plants. They have special stock of lillies, chrysanthemums and poinsettias, giving careful attention to producing the finest strains of these well known favorites. The Brazos Greenhouses also make a specialty of cut flowers, their trade in this line being extensive, and includ- ing all kinds of cut flowers, raised in their own nurseries. They have three city delivery cars and employ fifteen expert men in the business. The location of the greenhouses, at 2520 Main Street, is excellent for this business, and the property, owned by the company, is equipped to give the best results in flower raising.

Mr. Schwenke has made a life study of truck growing, and is a specialist on raising mushrooms, flower seed and garden seeds, being considered an authority in many lines of flower and seed growing and breeding.

Mr. Schwenke was born in Germany, in 1884, son of Albert and Dorothy Schwenke, his father one of the leading florists in Germany. He was edu- cated in his native country, attending college, where he specialized in languages. He speaks fluently Latin, French, German and English. Mr. Schwenke spent one year in the German army, qualifying for commissioned officer, and as a result of special courses reducing his period of service three years. He later came to the United States and has been located at Houston since this time, engaged in the floral business.

Mr. Schwenke was married at Houston in 1910, to Miss Emma Hablitzel, daughter of John Hab- litzel, founder of the Texas Table Company, and for many years identified with industrial activities at Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Schwenke have one son, Ernest Junior.

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E. WOOD has had a wide, varied and suc- cessful business career, and as President of The Real Estate Trust Company is play- ing an important part in the growth and development of Houston. This business was founded in March, 1925, and has a One Hundred Thousand Dollar capital fully paid. It is engaged in a general real estate business and has departments devoted to bonds, mortgages, loans and investments. It does a trust business without banking privileges. The company developed Houston Sub-Urban Estates that is about sold out. The officers of the company are, the subject of this sketch, President; Lee Singletary, Vice President, and Edmond S. Wood, Secretary- Treasurer. Attractive offices are located on the ground floor of the Cotton Exchange Building, cor- ner of Prairie Avenue and Caroline Street.

A native Texan, Mr. Wood was born in Mcclellan County. His father, Edmond S. Wood, has for many years been active in the business circles of Houston. His mother was Miss Laura Slavens, a native of Kentucky. His early education was obtained in the public schools in various portions of the State and later he became a student of the University of Texas.

After finishing college, Mr. Wood started his business career with the Grace Steamship Company of New York, and remained with this company in New York for a period of ten years, starting as traveling salesman, later department manager. He then went to the West Indies where he remained for several years and returned to Houston in 1921 and entered the real estate business, specializing in subdivisions, and with his father opened up Ridge- wood. In 1922 he took over the management of the Logan Candy Company, in which he was active until organizing his present company. The Wood home is located at 103 Morris Street. Mr. Wood is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Phi Gamma Delta College Fraternity and takes an active interest in the business, social and general community life of Houston, where he is regarded as one of the city's progressive citizens.

ORNELIOUS J. OLLRE for almost two dec- ades has been connected with the fire de- partment of Houston, winning frequent and well deserved promotions in this depart- ment, and is the recently appointed chief of the Houston fire department. Mr. Ollre was appointed temporary chief in December, 1922. and January 1st, 1923, was appointed chief of the Houston fire depart- ment, an office which he has since held. This fire department, regarded as one of the best organized in the Lone Star State, has done some exceptional work, and, under the direction of Chief Ollre, has made additional improvements and has had added some new equipment. All equipment in use is of the best and most modern type, and every facility for fighting fires, of any class, has been installed. A force of two hundred and thirty-six firemen is maintained, and these men, each loyal and ready to do his full duty and more, are the pride of Chief Ollre. Sixteen fine fire stations are maintained, giv- ing Houston adequate fire protection, and located to provide each district with readily available equip- ment. Chief Ollre makes his headquarters at the Central Fire Station, making frequent visits of in- spection to each station, as well as making a point

of seeing the men in action frequently. Under his direction, these men have on many occasions pre- vented serious catastrophies, and Houston may well point to this department with pride.

Cornelious J. Ollre was born at Houston the fifth of April, 1884, son of L. Ollre, who came here in the early sixties and lived here until his death, and Mary Weisen Ollre, also deceased. Mr. Ollre was educated in the public schools of Houston, and after leaving school played professional baseball in 1905, 1906, and 1907, in the Cotton State League, the Gulf Coast League and the Texas League. He was a fine all around player and won many honors for his teams during this time. In 1908 he joined the Houston fire department with the intention of making fire fighting his career. Until 1912 he was fireman, and in that year was made captain of station number eight, remaining at that station from June, 1912, until June, 1919, when he was appointed assistant fire chief, then temporary fire chief, to fill an un- expired term, and then, in January, 1923, was ap- pointed chief of the Houston Fire Department.

Mr. Ollre was married at Houston in February, 1915, to Mrs. Kittie Dresser Longstreath, a widow. They make their home at 2903 Franklin Avenue. Chief Ollre may be characterized as one of those men, who, choosing fire fighting as their life's voca- tion, form the backbone of any fire department, and are sure to win recognition. During his many years with the department he has always been personally popular with his men, and there is not a man on the force today who would not gladly volunteer for any duty at the request of his chief.

AWRENCE A. MORSE, a native of Hous- ton, and one of the younger, progressive business men of the city, has been actively engaged in the undertaking business here since 1915, and for the past several years has oper- ated one of the most up-to-date funeral directing establishments in the city. Mr. Morse owns and operates the firm of Morse Company, Undertakers, which he established the fifteenth of August, 1921. He is well located at 1203 Milam Stret, at the cor- ner of Dallas Avenue, where he has a well equipped building with all modern facilities. Mr. Morse con- ducts a funeral home, with an embalming room, and is prepared to handle his business in a manner in keeping with the highest professional standards. He has six trained assistants, eight motor cars, a motor hearse of the best make, and two carefully fitted motor ambulances on duty twenty-four hours a day.

Lawrence A. Morse was born at Houston the eigh- teenth of August, 1897, son of Henry D. Morse, also a native Houstonian, and in the real estate business here for years, and Willie Hensen Morse, whose birthplace was also Houston. Mr. Morse was edu- cated in the public schools of his native city, and after finishing his education went with the Wall & Stabe Undertaking Company, in 1915, remaining with this firm until 1921, at which time he had be- come manager. In that year he resigned this posi- tion to establish his own business, which he has since operated.

Mr. Morse was married at Houston the first of July, 1919, to Miss Willie Mae Wade, a native of the Lone Star State, who was reared at Houston. They live at 1203 Milam Street. Mr. Morse is a Mason, Reagan Lodge No. 1037, A. F. and A. M.

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LIVER LEWIS, although numbered among the younger business men of Houston, Texas, is the executive head of one of the leading establishments of its kind of the Southwest. As president of the Oliver Lewis Company, Inc., Funeral Directors and Embalmers, which was established here on May 1st, 1926, he has provided Houston with one of the best equipped mortuaries of the entire country. He has spent his entire business life in the several branches of the undertaking industry. It was during his service in the World War that he decided to make this business his life work and at that time started to plan a modern establishment to eclipse anything of the kind in this city and the Oliver Lewis Com- pany, Inc., is the realization of these plans. No expense has been spared in this beautiful funeral chapel, equipped with facilities for rendering the best possible service, and with arrangements and furnishings that produce a refined and restful at- mosphere. While serving the soldiers in France, where he was connected with hospital work, and particularly during the flu epidemic, he was study- ing the needs of his profession and the most ad- vanced methods of practicing it. Mr. Lewis' first experience in undertaking work was as supply offi- cer at the Evacuation Hospital at Coblenz, Germany, with the American Army of Occupation. After re- ceiving his discharge he returned to Houston and became associated with the undertaking firm of Settegast-Kopf Company and remained with the organization until he started the present business for himself and associates. Other officers of the Oliver Lewis Company, Inc., are: Mrs. M. B. Set- tegast, vice president, and Binz J. Settegast, sec- retary and treasurer.

A native son of Houston, Texas, Mr. Lewis was born on February 24th, 1895. His father, C. W. Lewis (now deceased), was a native of Pennsyl- vania and a member of a well known family of that State. His mother, Mrs. Sophia (Settegast) Lewis, a native of Houston, Texas, was a member of one of this city's most prominent families, who have figured in making this city the wonderful metropolis of the Southwest. His early education was obtained in the schools of Houston, after which he became a student of the Virginia Military Insti- tute, graduating from that institution in the class of 1915, later taking a post-graduate course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also a graduate of the Dallas School of Embalming.

Mr. Lewis was married at Houston, Texas, on December 19th, 1917, to Miss Anna Mary Polk of Houston, Texas, and a daughter of Edwin Polk, a native of Evansville, Indiana, but now a well known resident of Houston. Her mother, Mrs. Annie Lee (Stowers) Polk, also a native of Indiana, was a member of a prominent family of that State. They have two children, Samuel Oliver and William Gard- ner, both of whom are at home with parents. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis reside at 1007 Willard Avenue. Mr. Lewis is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and is also a Shriner of this order. He holds member- ship in the American Business Club and various other fraternal, commercial and social organizations here, in all of which he takes an active interest. His church affiliation is with the Episcopal denom- ination, this being the religious belief of his for- bears. Mr. Lewis, as chief executive of the Oliver

Lewis Company, Inc., is justly proud of the modern establishment, which represents the realization of his professional ideals, and Houston is proud of her native son, with the initiative to provide her with the wonderful funeral house, which is the last word in the mortuary world.

OM C. GOODSON was appointed to the of- fice of superintendent of the Houston Po- lice Department January 11th, 1923, where for many years prior to the appointment to this important position, he was a member of the Houston Police Department, and had served in prac- tically every branch of this service, where he made a record that has never been surpassed in the an- nals of the Houston Police Department.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 158

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