New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 161

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

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Coming to Houston in 1921, and remembering his favorite work, Mr. Reid became affiliated with the I. and G. N. Railroad and then the Houston Belt and Terminal Railway, later becoming rate clerk back with the I. and G. N. Railroad, and in 1924 was transferred to the office of A. E. Buck, as assistant chief clerk. He remained in this position until M. P. and I. and G. N. and the Gulf Coast Lines consolidated and abolished this position. After a short time with the Southern Pacific Lines in their accounting department, Mr. Reid went with the Lykes Bros .- Ripley Steamship Company, and then with Luckenbach Steamship Company, where he re- mained until becoming local manager for John I. Hay.

Mr. James R. Reid, Jr., was born at Chattanooga, Tennessee, on the 8th of October, 1890, the son of James R. and Cornelia (Carlile) Reid, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter a native of Chatta- nooga. He was educated in the schools of Chatta- nooga.

Mr. Reid was united in marriage at El Paso, Texas, on the 26th of August, 1920, to Miss Lois McIntosh, the daughter of Campbell and Ethel (Cun- ningham) McIntosh, all native Texans. Mr. and Mrs. Reid reside at 406 McGowen Avenue.

The Traffic Club and the Thomas Dismuke Post No. 52, American Legion, claim Mr. Reid as a mem- ber, and of the last named he is the Finance Officer. Mr. Reid also is a commissioned officer in the or- ganized Reserve Corps.

A young man who really knows the shipping and brokerage business, Mr. Reid has been in Houston during its greatest growth in this line, and has con- tributed a large part to its success.

ILLIAM BENSON DAVIS of Houston, Texas, is the secretary and treasurer of the East Texas Oil Company of New Jersey, Inc., one of the pioneer oil organizations of the Lone Star State, having been active in oil de- velopment of Texas since 1902. This company, owned by Kountze Brothers of New York, owns interests and leases from Sabine Pass, Texas, up into Angelina County. The firm of Kountze Broth- ers built a railroad from Beaumont through Kountze, the county seat of Hardin County, to Rockland, Texas, later selling this line of railroad to the Southern Pacific Railway. The East Texas Oil Com- pany of New Jersey drilled and produced oil in the Rockland district of Texas about 1904. Mr. Davis, with offices located at 118 Branard Avenue, Hous- ton, Texas, looks after the interests for the East Texas Oil Company of New Jersey, including leas- ing and drilling operations. Other officers of this company are: A. F. Kountze, president, and H. D. Kountze, vice president, New York, both of whom are well known in financial circles not only in Texas, but throughout the United States. Messrs. Kountze Brothers were also pioneers in the development of the timber resources of the State. Mr. Davis has spent his entire business life associated with this firm. He first started with them in New York as a junior employee and came to Texas in September, 1921, since when he has been in charge of the af- fairs of the East Texas Oil Company of New Jersey in this territory.

A native of Maryland, Mr. Davis was born at Baltimore on February 20th, 1875. His father, John R. Davis (now deceased), was a native of Virginia. His mother, Mrs. Martha (Benson) Davis, was a member of a well known family of Richmond, Vir- ginia. His education was obtained in the schools of Richmond, Virginia, attending school in the Old White House of the Confederacy. In 1897 he went to New York City and became a student of the New York University, pursuing a course of commerce, accounts and finance at this institution. He became associated with the present owners of the East Texas Oil Company of New Jersey in 1901, remain- ing with them until the present time.

Mr. Davis was married at New York City on November 20th, 1915, to Miss Helen Cruikshank, a native of New York and a daughter of Edward A. Cruikshank, well known business man of New York. Her mother, Mrs. Grace (Kintzing) Cruikshank was a member of a prominent family of Pennsylvania. They have one child, Eleanor Grace Davis. Mr. Davis is a member of the Maryland Society of New York and served this organization as treasurer for a period of eleven years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Since locating in Houston, Texas, in 1921, Mr. Davis has been a consistent booster for this city, believing that the time is near at hand when it will be the metropolis of the South.

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A. McELROY, secretary-treasurer and gen- eral manager of the Houston Building & Loan Association, is one of its original organizers, and has been identified with it since its inception. The Houston Building & Loan Association is strictly a Houston institution and officered by well known Houston men. Mr. I. B. McFarland is president, A. P. Todd, vice president; Dr. J. Allen Kyle, vice president; Mrs. E. L. Ladd, cashier, and R. P. Elledge, general attorney.

The association is a Mutual Building & Loan As- sociation of Houston and for Houston, operating under the rigid State laws governing such associa- tions. The authorized capital is $50,000,000. Its offices are located centrally, at the corner of Main Street and Mckinney Avenue. It is the first Mutual Building & Loan Association organized in Houston going actively in the field for business. The asso- ciation has had a phenomenal growth. On April 1st, 1921, its assets were listed as nil; on March 1st, 1924, they were $1,017,460.36, and July 1st, 1926, in excess of $2,500,000.00. Carefully selected first mortgage loans on improved real estate prop- erties and loans on stock of the association repre- sent the security back of every dollar invested with the association. The management is conservative and operates strictly with the idea of serving and protecting to the utmost the interests of its patrons. In order that this may be done the Houston Building & Loan Association lends only on first mortgages on Houston real estate not to exceed 60 per cent of its value. A committee from its board of directors per- sonally inspects the properties for every loan made. The association makes sure that fire and tornado in- surance is in force, and that all taxes are paid. One per cent of the profits each year is placed in a contingent reserve fund. The accounts are regu- larly certified by the State Department of Banking and by certified public accountants. All funds in- vested and credited earnings can be withdrawn at any time subject to thirty days' notice. The shares of the Houston Building and Loan Association are, in the words of the United States Department of Commerce and Labor, "as nearly absolutely safe as can be."

In 1925 Mr. McElroy organized the Houston Life Insurance Association, that operates in conjunction with the Houston Building & Loan Association under authority and supervision of the State Insur- ance Department. It has no capital stock, being purely mutual in its plans. The officers are W. A. McElroy, president and general manager, and Mrs. E. L. Ladd, who is cashier of Houston Building & Loan Association, secretary and treasurer.

A native Texan, Mr. McElroy was born in Travis County, August 29th, 1882. His father, Thomas E. McElroy, came to Texas from Kentucky and was a large land owner, merchant and planter of Travis County. His mother was, prior to her marriage, Miss Ada Ellison, a member of a well known Geor- gia family. Mr. McElroy's education was obtained in the public and high schools of Buda, Texas. He began his business career in the postal service in 1898 and remained in this work until 1913. From 1913 to 1921 he was secretary of various chambers of commerce in different sections of Texas, coming to Houston during the latter year.

Mr. McElroy was married at Buda, Texas, in 1904, to Miss Cotta Killian, a daughter of Dr. W. F. Kil- lian, a well known Travis County physician, who

came to Texas from Georgia. They have three children, Thomas Killian, Eugene Nolte, and Ethel- bert. Mr. and Mrs. McElroy reside at 501 Rich- mond Road. In fraternal organizations Mr. Mc- Elroy is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and the I. O. O. F. Since coming to Houston Mr. McElroy has been identified with the business, social and general community life of the city, and is partic- ularly interested in all agencies having for their object the civic improvement, progress and devel- opment of the South Texas Metropolis.

EORGE HAMMAN, for upwards of a quar- ter of a century one of the vital forces of the progress of the city of Houston, and vice president of one of the largest finan- cial institutions of the city, enjoys the highest es- teem of his fellow citizens, his business and bank- ing methods greatly affecting the industry of the city. Mr. Hammon came with the Union National Bank, then the Union Bank and Trust Company, in 1907, two years after the organization was effected, as vice president. In 1910 the bank was national- ized, and the name changed to Union National Bank, Mr. Hamman remaining vice president, which of- fice he still holds. Prior to this he spent many years in the banking business, coming to Houston in 1897 from Calvert and a few months later en- tering the Planters and Mechanics National Bank as bookkeeper, a few years later becoming assist- ant cashier and in 1905 cashier, resigning this posi- tion two years later to assume the vice presidency of the Union National Bank.

The Union National Bank, one of the largest financial institutions at Houston, is capitalized at one million dollars, the total resources running over nineteen million. The bank is a member of the Fed- eral Reserve System and has a surplus and undivided profits in excess of a million dollars. The officers are J. S. Rice, chairman of the board; R. M. Farrar, president; C. G. Pillot, George Hamman, H. B. Finch, B. B. Gilmer, and A. L. Carter, vice presidents; C. B. Dwyer, cashier; and the directors are Frank Andrews, R. H. Baker, J. S. Bonner, A. L. Bowers, R. E. Brooks, J. J. Carroll, A. L. Carter, C. L. Carter, W. T. Carter, Jr., George R. Christie, T. C. Dunn, R. M. Farrar, H. B. Finch, B. B. Gilmer, George Ham- man, G. A. Kelley, Haskell Levy, Dr. Fred R. Lum- mis, C. L. Neuhaus, W. O. Neuhaus, C. G. Pillot, Norman W. Pillot, R. D. Randolf, J. W. Reynolds, J. S. Rice, W. M. Rice, H. C. Schumacher, J. J. Sweeney, and R. W. Wier.

George Hamman was born at Calvert, Texas, the eighteenth of April, 1874, son of William H. and Ella V. Loudermilk Hamman. His father came to Texas in 1858, and lived in Calvert during the Civil War. He was a lawyer and died in 1890. Mr. Ham- man was educated in the Calvert public schools, and after finishing his education went into the bank- ing business.

Mr. Hamman was married at Houston, the six- teenth of February, 1904, to Miss Josephine Milby, daughter of C. H. Milby, a native of the Lone Star State and born at Indianola. Mr. and Mrs. Hamman make their home at Harrisburg, Texas, six miles from Houston. Mr. Hamman takes an active inter- est in civic affairs and is a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce. He belongs to the Houston Club, and the Houston Country Club. He attends the Epis- copal church.

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EORGE V. ROTAN was born at Waco, Texas, the 18th of July, 1886, son of Ed- ward and Kate S. (McCall) Rotan. Edward Rotan is president of the First National Bank of Waco. George V. Rotan is a graduate of Yale, class of 1907. After leaving college he re- turned to his home city, Waco, and was with the Telephone Company for a time, later organizing the Bankers Trust Company, which he managed for seven years. During the war he served in the Air Service as captain, headquarters staff, located at Kelly Field, San Antonio. After receiving his dis- charge he came to Houston in 1919 and has since been a member of the firm of Neuhaus & Company.

Mr. Rotan was married at Waco, Texas, in 1909, to Miss Charlotte Padgitt, daughter of Mr. Tom Padgitt, well known business man of Waco. Mr. and Mrs. Rotan have four children, Edward, Sarah Charlotte and Kate.

Mr. Rotan is a member of the Houston Club, Houston Country Club, the Pine Valley Golf Club of New Jersey and the Waco Spring Lake Country Club. He is one of the best golfers in Texas and was a member of the Walker (Golf) Cup Interna- tional Team playing at St. Andrews, Scotland, in 1923, where they won the International Match.

ENRY G. BUTLER of Houston, Texas, is one of the oldest and best known manufac- turers of Ballast of the entire country, having for almost a half century been active in this industry. He is the president of the Southwest Ballast Company, Inc., one of the leading organizations of its kind of the Southwest, with headquarters in Houston, Texas, and plants located at New Iberia, Louisiana; Mayotown and Kaufman, Texas. Mr. Butler has the distinction of having manufactured the first clay ballast to be made in the United States-this was in 1880. Since Mr. Butler started in the manufacture of ballast, there has been a revolution in the methods used in the manufacture of this commodity. In the olden days eight months time was required in which to properly prepare or burn the clay, but now only twenty-four hours time is required, hence the name of the product of the Southwest Ballast Company's product-rapid process burnt clay ballast. The Houston offices of this company are located at 1110 Marshall Ave- nue. Associated with Mr. Butler as an executive of the company is his son, W. A. Butler, who is the secretary and treasurer and well known in the finan- cial, commercial and manufacturing circles of the Southwest.

A native of England, Mr. Butler was born at Liverpool on July 17th, 1859. His father, Henry Meadows Butler (deceased) and mother, Mrs. Louisa (Croft) Butler, were both natives of Liverpool, Eng- land, and members of prominent families of that city, where throughout his life Mr. Butler was active in the business and social circles. His education was obtained in the various schools and colleges of England. At the age of twenty years, he entered the ballast manufacturing industry, and has con- tinued in this business throughout his life. The first ballast manufactured in the United States was known to the railroad world, who are the users of this commodity, as gumbo ballast. For more than five years the Southwest Ballast Company, Inc., have been making ballast exclusively for the South- ern Pacific Railroad.

Mr. Butler was married at Chicago, Illinois, to Miss Jane Hatton, a native of England and a daugh- ter of Thomas Hatton, (deceased) well known in the commercial life of his native country. Her mother, Mrs. Mary (Davy) Hatton, was also a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have one son, W. A. Butler, associated with his father in the man- ufacturing industry. Mr. and Mrs. Butler reside at 307 Sul Ross Avenue. Mr. Butler is a member of the A. F. and A. M., a Shriner of Arabia Tem- ple, a Knight Templar of Ruthven Commandery, and Trinity Episcopal Church. In his chosen field of activity Mr. Butler has for many years been a leader, and his skill in the ballast manufacturing has been of untold benefits to the railroad world. He has been a resident of Houston, Texas, since 1921, where his influence has been felt in the com- mercial and social life.

M. LEVY, sole owner of the A. M. Levy Dry Goods and Department Store at 409 Travis Street, Houston, is one of the splen- did examples of thrift and industry to be found in this country. Mr. Levy established this store in 1901 and his business has grown steadily since that time. While not as large as some other department stores, Mr. Levy carries a complete line of men's, women's and children's clothing, fur- nishings and dry goods, which are arranged in such a manner as to make an attractive showing. The Levy Department Store is fifty by one hundred feet, and ten people are employed in his establishment. Mr. Levy's policy in handling this business is to have the customer leave the store satisfied, and with a feeling that he wants to return. He makes it a point to give the greatest value for the least money.

Mr. Levy was born in Europe in 1873. His edu- cation was obtained in schools in various countries of Europe, and he studied English during all spare moments both before and after coming to America.

Mr. Levy came to the United States when six- teen years of age and began his business career in a wholesale dry goods establishment in New York City, where he remained for six years. During all of this time, he planned and dreamed of the time when he could have a business of his own, however small. In 1895, during President Cleveland's ad- ministration, he came to Texas on the strength of the reports of New York friends who had been here and all had met with success. On reaching Houston, he started, as did many of the pioneer merchants of Texas by selling goods from house to house. Later he purchased a wagon, horse and a small stock of goods, and in 1901 opened a store in Houston. In addition to his store, Mr. Levy is interested in several other local enterprises, and is a director in the People's State Bank. Mr. Levy was married in Houston in 1903 to Miss Ester Freund, a native of Columbia, Texas, and a member of a well known family of that place. They have three children-William, Louis and Henry. The Levy home is at 309 Avondale Street. Mr. Levy is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Dokies and the Houston Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Levy loves Houston, and considers it by far the best city in the country, and gives liberally of his time to all projects tending to the welfare, growth and advancement of this city.

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LMORE D. SINGELTARY is well known in the banking and business circles of South Texas, where he is cashier of the Citizens' State Bank of League City. Mr. Singeltary became associated with this bank in 1913, and was first bookkeeper and in 1917 was made cashier, and has remained in this position since that time. The Citizens' State Bank of League City was established in 1906, and has a capital stock of $15,000.00, with deposits of over $70,000.00, and surplus and un- divided profits of $5,000.00. This bank makes many outside loans, but fig loans are as yet almost un- known in banking circles, but from the real estate man's standpoint are considered good loans. Other officers of this bank are: Sealy Hutchings of Gal- veston, president, and C. Harper Anderson, vice president. The directors are George Sealy, C. Har- per Anderson, Sealy Hutchings, E. R. Girardeau, E. D. Singeltary and C. F. Smithson, assistant cash- ier. In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Sin- geltary is engaged in the cattle business as a pri- vate venture, which is largely his own, but has part- ners in some of his cattle deals. He is engaged in breeding, buying and selling, all of which are range cattle, except a few cattle of the Brahma breed. For grazing purposes, Mr. Singeltary uses leased pastures and the open ranges in Galveston and Har- ris Counties. He has about nine hundred head of cattle on hand, which is the average number, as he buys and sells during the entire year. Mr. Singel- tary says that the general trend of the cattle busi- ness in this portion of Texas shows an upward move- ment.

Mr. Singeltary was born in Georgia on October 17th, 1886. He came to Texas with his father, I. D. Singeltary, in 1901, and located here, and his bank- ing experience has been obtained in the institution of which he is now an official. His father has been engaged in farming in South Texas since com- ing here. His mother was Miss Irene Dennison, a member of a prominent Georgia family. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Geor- gia and Texas and he later attended college at Whitewright, Texas, for a period of one year.

Mr. Singeltary was married at League City, Tex- as, on December 22nd, 1910, to Miss Mary Butler, a native of the Lone Star State and a daughter of G. W. Butler, well known stockman and real estate owner of South Texas. They have three children- Mary, Margery and Elmore D. Singeltary, Jr. Mr. Singeltary is a member of the A. F. and A. M., with membership in Lodge No. 1053 of League City, Texas; a member of Consistory No. 1 at Galveston, and is a Shriner of El Mina Temple of that city also. He is a member of the Bankers' Association, in which he takes an active interest. Mr. Singel- tary is optimistic as to the future of League City and the contiguous country, and is looking forward to an era of great business prosperity in all lines.

L. CROW, well known lumber man of Gal- veston, Texas, has been a factor in the busi- ness circles of this city for more than sev- enteen years, having, prior to engaging in the lumber business, been for many years active in the railroad life of Galveston. Mr. Crow is pres- ident and manager of the Gulf Lumber Company, which is one of the largest and best plants of its kind in Galveston and is doing a large business. This lumber company was established in 1914 by Mr.

B. W. Key as president and Mr. A. L. Crow as sec- retary-treasurer. Mr. Key remained as president until his death in January, 1922. He was one of Gal- veston's most beloved citizens. The company are wholesale and retail dealers in lumber, and mill work and does only high class work. They also deal in cement, roofing, sash, doors and all other materials carried by a first class business of this kind. The plant occupies one and one-half city blocks, which is owned in fee by the company and located at Thir- ty-second and Mechanic and Market Streets. From twenty-five to thirty people are employed at this plant, which has won a reputation for fair dealing and quick service. Other officers of the Gulf Lum- ber Company are F. J. Hildebrand, vice president, and Frank R. French, secretary and treasurer. Prior to coming to Galveston, Mr. Crow was for a period of thirteen years associated with the Missouri, Kan- sas and Texas Railroad, in the passenger department at Dallas, Texas, and came to Galveston with this rail- road, and continued in its service until the Gulf Lum- ber Company was organized, and it is conceded that his competent management has made it the large and prosperous concern that it is.

Mr. Crow was born at Charlestown, Mississippi, on October 8th, 1884. His father, A. L. Crow, was a well known planter and land owner of Mississippi. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native state.

Mr. Crow was married at Galveston in 1911 to Miss Margaret Stafford, a native Texan and a daughter of W. M. Stafford, who for many years was one of the leading cotton men of the Island City, but is now retired from active business pursuits. They have two children, A. L. Crow, Jr., and Mary Kate. Mr. and Mrs. Crow own their home at 2709 Broadway. Mr. Crow 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 mem- ber of the Galveston Country Club and the Galves- ton Chamber of Commerce, and is active in these organizations. Mr. Crow is popular in the busi- ness and social circles of Galveston, where he has a host of friends. He is active in all projects hav- ing to do with the civic improvement of Galveston, and never loses an opportunity to speak a good word for this city. It is his opinion that his years spent in the railroad business was a very valuable ex- perience, and as the executive head of the Gulf Lumber Company, he has shown himself to be a man of sound judgment, fully competent to man- ag the affairs of this establishment and the respon- sibilities involved.

D. JAKOVICH has been active in the busi- ness and importing circles of Galveston for many years and has developed one of the most successful importing and manufactur- ing businesses in this city. Mr. Jakovich is the owner of the Texas Consumers' Company, which was organized in 1906 as a corporation and con- tinued as such until 1912 when Mr. Jakovich pur- chased the stock of the company and dissolved the corporation. He imports coffee from all coffee grow- ing countries, which he roasts, packs and sells at wholesale throughout Texas to jobbers. His main brand of coffee is "Texcomo," well known for its superior flavor. The Texas Consumers Company are also packers of vinegar, the raw materials for

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which are shipped to Galveston by boat from New York. This company are manufacturers of blueing and its "Aunt Susan's Blueing" is widely known and popular. Fourteen experienced people are employed by the Texas Consumers Company, which owns the building and grounds where the plant is located at 3816 Avenue N. Ten thousand square feet of floor space is used in the factory, besides offices and stor- age rooms. The coffiee output is upward of 100,- 000 pounds each month, besides vast quantities of its manufactured products, which amounts to many car loads, of blueing and vinegar. Mr. Jakovich is optimistic as to the future of the manufacturing business, and says that he could do much more busi- ness than he is doing, but has decided to only in- crease his business as he could increase his capital without taking in outside money, preferring to be the sole owner of the business. Mr. Jakovich began his career with the Consumers Company as office boy and learned all the branches of the business as he was promoted. He finally saw an opportunity to purchase all the stock on the terms suitable to him and since that time he has developed a very fine business from a non-paying, poorly managed concern.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 161

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