New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 162

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

USA > Texas > New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2 > Part 162

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

Mr. Jakovich was born in Bakarac, Austria, on September 22nd, 1888, and came to the United States and to Galveston in 1904 without his parents and lived in this city with an uncle and aunt. His early education was obtained in his native country, where he attended college and was educated for a sea cap- tain. After coming to Galveston, he attended Draughon's Business College. Mr. Jakovich is a master of three languages, and speaks two others very well, and he is regarded as a splendid business man, by his competitors and customers alike.

Mr. Jakovich was married at Galveston on Jan- uary 21st, 1914, to Miss Elizabeth Jersig, a member of an old and prominent family of this city. They have two sons, Edward and Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Jakovich reside at 3824 Avenue N1/2. Mr. Jakovich is a member of the B. P. O. E., the Kiwanis Club, the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, the Y. M. P. L. and many of the social organizations of the city. He has been active in the business life of Galveston since locating here, and is regarded as one of the city's most progressive and public spirited citizens.

ENRY BROWN GOODMAN, one of the best known retail lumbermen in South Texas, and a member of the firm of Moore and Goodman, 612 Thirtieth Street, has been a resident of Galveston for more than half a century, having come here to reside in 1872, when the pres- ent city of Galveston was little more than a fishing village. He has seen the wonderful development of the city from a village of shacks and has played no small part in this work of development.

The lumber business of Moore and Goodman was established by Mr. Goodman and Charles H. Moore in 1894. It is one of the leading retail lumber yards in South Texas and includes a large planing mill and shop for mill work. Other members of the firm at this time besides Mr. Goodman are B. D. and Kilburn Moore.

The subject of this sketch was born in Cumber- land County, Virginia, on May 1st, 1849, a son of Robert J. and Frances (Wilkerson) Goodman. His father was a well known farmer and land owner of

Cumberland County and Mr. Goodman was afforded the best educational advantages. After completing the public school courses in the local schools he matriculated at Emory and Henry College in Vir- ginia, completing his studies and graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

After receiving his degree Mr. Goodman taught in the schools of Virginia for three or four years and then removed to Texas, locating at Galveston and engaging in the retail lumber business until 1881, when he became connected with A. J. Perkins and Company in the manufacture and distribution of lumber. He continued with this concern until the organization of his present business.

In 1883 Mr. Goodman was married in Powhatan County to Miss Marie Louise Brown, daughter of Daniel H. Brown. They have three children, Bur- eigh, Florence and Robert Wilbur, the last named being connected with the Model Laundry of Galves- ton. The family home is at 2816 J Street.

In common with other business men and residents of Galveston, Mr. Goodman lost heavily in the dis- astrous flood of 1900, but undaunted, set to work again to re-establish his business and recoup his losses. His firm enjoys an unbroken record of over thirty years service to the people of Galveston and its policy of liberality and fair dealing has done much in the program of development that brought Galveston to its present commanding position among Southern seaports.

Mr. Goodman has always been devoted to his fam- ily and his business, but takes an active interest in civic affairs and in any movement for the better- ment of Galveston. He is a member of the board of stewards of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and has been active in the work of the local Young Men's Christian Association.

RANK SOAPE is regarded as a leader derson, Texas, and is interested in every project of a civic or commercial nature that among the younger business men of Hen- is advantageous to his city and State. Mr. Soape for the past several years has been identified with the local telephone company, and has been active in giving the people here good telephone service.

A native Texan, Mr. Soape was born in Rusk County on November 8th, 1894. His father, H. E. Soape, also a native of the Lone Star State, has been for many years engaged in the telephone bus- iness in Rusk County, where he is still residing. His mother was formerly Miss Mary Elizabeth Williams, a member of a pioneer Texas family. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Henderson, Texas, after which he became a student at Baylor University of Waco and graduated from this institution in the class of 1916 with the A. B. degree. Immediately after leaving college, Mr. Soape embarked in the newspaper business and for one year was with the Waco Times-Herald, after which he entered the army during the World War. He was with the Headquarters Signal Corps Train- ing Camps the greater portion of the time being spent at Beade, Maryland. After receiving his discharge, he came to Houston and with his brother, Ralph, organized an insurance business with which he was associated several years.

Mr. Soape is a member of the A. F. and A. M., the Scottish Rite bodies to the 32nd degree, and Arabia Temple Shrine of Houston.

2128

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

OHN E. GARRETT, attorney at law, in his practice of more than a decade before the Houston bar, has established a creditable record and won the confidence and esteem of the citizenship of this city. Mr. Garrett has offices at 524 First National Bank Building and is engaged in a general practice of civil law, and has gained a splendid reputation in this branch of juris- prudence. He began the practice of his profession in Houston in 1913, where he has since remained, and during the greater portion of this time he has practiced alone. Mr. Garrett has a large clientele, among whom are numbered some of Houston's rep- resentative business men and also some of the city's most important business institutions. He inherited his talent for law, as his father was one of the most prominent lawyers of his time. Mr. Garrett was admitted to the bar in 1912, and during the same year,-when twenty-two years of age, was elected to the office of county attorney and served with distinction in that office for one year, when he resigned in order to come to Houston and practice law in this city, as he realized the wonderful oppor- tunities offered in the legal profession in this city.

A native Texan, Mr. Garrett was born in the old, historic town of San Augustine, on September 22nd, 1890. His father, W. J. Garrett (deceased) also a native of the Lone Star State, was one of the pioneer lawyers and bankers of Texas. For many years, he was one of the leading lawyers of Texas and president of the bank at San Augustine. His mother was Miss Lula Harrison, a member of a pioneer Texas family. His early education was obtained in the public schools of San Augustine, after which he studied law in his father's office, until he was admitted by examination to the Texas bar.

Mr. Garrett was married at San Augustine, on July 26th, 1913, to Miss Augusta Hazle, a native of San Augustine and a daughter of Joe Hazle, well known in the business circles of San Augustine County. They have six children-John E. Garrett, Jr .; J. H., Eugene, Mary, Fern and Annie Marie. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett, with their family of interest- ing children, reside at 1539 Ashland Street. Mr. Gar- rett is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and takes an active interest in this organization. Mr. Garrett devotes all spare time from his office to his family, of whom he is deservedly proud and ambitious. Since coming to Houston, he has made a host of friends in the business and social circles of this city, and never loses an opportunity to speak a good word for Houston and of his state. He is patriotic and progressive, full of civic pride and always willing to give of his time and means for the development of his city. He is especially inter- ested in the development of the wonderful resources of Texas, and especially interested in the election of good and capable men to state and municipal offices.

AURICE EPSTEIN, Attorney at Law, of Houston, Texas, has been a member of the legal fraternity of this State since 1914. He is also a member of the New York Bar. His practice before the local bar began in 1915, at which time he came to this city from Galveston. Mr. Ep- stein is a member of the law firm of Taliaferro, Epstein and Sonfield, with offices in the First Na- tional Bank Building and is composed of Thomas S. Taliaferro, Maurice Epstein and Robert L. Sonfield.

The members of the firm are regarded as three of the leading young lawyers of Houston, and are en- gaged in a general civil practice of law. Mr. Ep- stein brought to his firm, which was formed in Feb- ruary, 1924, an experience of great value, which was gained in the various branches of law in his asso- ciation with representative law firms. He came to Galveston from New York in 1913, as the Manager of the Jewish Immigrants Information Bureau, and special representative of the late Jacob H. Scheff, of Kuhn, Loeb and Company of New York, heading the work of deflecting immigration from the Eastern ports and encouraging distribution and settlement west of the Mississippi. He was then admitted to the Texas Bar and began the practice of law at Gal- veston, and remained in that city until the storm of 1915, when he removed to Houston and became as- sociated with the firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood, where for two and one-half years he prac- ticed railroad and corporation law. He left the service of this firm to enter the army of the World War. Mr. Epstein attended the second Officer's Training School at Camp Funston, and was trans- ferred to Camp McArthur as a non-commissioned officer. He served in the infantry until November 20, 1918, when he received his discharge. He imme- diately returned to Houston and resumed his law practice alone, with offices in the Union National Bank Building, where he continued until his present partnership was formed in 1924.

Mr. Epstein was born in New York City on No- vember 6, 1888. His father, Joseph Epstein, was for many years a well known business man of New York, but is now residing in Chicago. His early education was obtained in the public schools of New York City, after which he entered Columbia Univer- sity, and received his A. B. degree from this institu- tion in 1908. After engaging in newspaper work for the year following his graduation, he entered the Law Department of Columbia University and graduated from this institution in the class of 1911, with the L. L. B. degree. He was admitted to the New York Bar in the same year.

Mr. Epstein was married at Dallas, Texas, on April 11, 1921, to Miss Frances Silverman, of Antlers, Oklahoma, and a member of a prominent family of that city. In college fraternities, Mr. Epstein is a Zeta Beta Tau, and a member of the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, the University Club of Hous- ton, and is identified with the various civic and social organizations of the city in which he is deeply interested.

D ARNOLD, senior member of the law firm of Arnold and Manint of Houston, Texas, with offices at 604-5 Bankers Mortgage Building, has established a large practice for himself and firm. While this firm is engaged in a general practice of law, they have a very large practice in common carriers liability. This is a highly technical branch of law proficiency which can only be obtained by having actual practical rail- road experience. This is Mr. Arnold's hobby as well as his profession and he is possibly the only man in the state of Texas who has such a complete working knowledge of the intricacies of this branch of law. Mr. Arnold is widely known in the railroad circles of Texas, where prior to his admission to the bar in 1916 he was for almost fifteen years engaged in the various branches of the railroad service in this state. The partnership of Arnold and Manint, composed of

2129

MEN OF TEXAS

Mr. Arnold and Mr. Earle M. Manint, was formed in 1922. Mr. Arnold began his business career as a very young man in the insurance business and con- tinued in this line of endeavor for a period of two years, when he engaged in the stock, bond and loan business for almost two years. In 1901, he started in the railroad service with the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad and remained with this rail- road until 1904 when he removed to Houston and en- tered the service of Trinity and Brazos Valley Rail- way and remained with this railway until 1920. Dur- ing the last eight years spent in the service of this company, he held the position of freight claim agent. During his association with the various business concerns, Mr. Arnold had been studying law at night and during spare time and in 1916 was admitted to the bar. A short time later he left the railroad service and formed a law partnership with C. E. McVey of this city, and this partnership continued for a period of eighteen months, after which he practised his profession alone until the present partnership was formed.

A native Texan, Mr. Arnold was born at San An- tonio on November 15th, 1881. His father, Herman Arnold, now retired from active business pursuits, was for many years actively engaged in business at San Antonio, Texas, and is well known in the business circles of the city. His mother was Miss Lena Derr, also a native of the Lone Star State and a member of a pioneer family. His education was obtained at St. Mary's College of San Antonio, Texas where he graduated in 1897, and has the distinction of being at that time the youngest graduate from that institution.

Mr. Arnold resides at 3205 Austin Street. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has attained to the 14th degree in the Scottish Rite Body of this order. He is chairman of transportation of the City and County Club, an organization supplementing the work of the Chamber of Commerce. Identified with every good move of his city, whether civic, social or political, Mr. Arnold is today active in the highest type of service and is regarded as one of Houston's most progressive citizens and lawyers.

B. EHRENWERTH, Attorney at Law, of Houston, Texas, began the practice of his profession in this city in 1898, and since that time has been identified with many im- portant cases that have come before the courts of South Texas. Mr. Ehrenwerth specializes in crim- inal law, and has a large practice in his chosen branch of the profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1895, when he immediately established his office at Columbus, Texas, and began the practice of law alone, and throughout his long and successful career as an attorney has never formed a partner- ship, preferring to practice alone. For three years he practiced in Columbus, where he had a large clientele, but realizing that Houston held a wider field, and offered greater opportunities, he removed to this city, where he has since remained and has well appointed offices located at 401 Stewart Build- ing.

A native Texan, Mr. Ehrenwerth was born at Co- lumbus, Colorado County, on February 4, 1874. His father, H. M. Ehrenwerth, a native of Germany, came to the United States and to Texas when twelve years of age, and was engaged in the mercantile business at Columbus up to the time of his death,

and was one of the most successful merchants of South Texas. His mother was Miss Dora Jacobs, a native of the Lone Star State, and a member of a pioneer family of Marshall. She is now a resident of San Antonio, Texas. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Columbus, Texas, after which he became a student of the A. and M. College of Texas. Later he entered Bingham Col- lege of North Carolina, and after some years spent in this institution, returned to Columbus, Texas, and took up the study of law in the offices of Kennon and Adkins, who were among the leading attorneys of South Texas at that time. He continued the study of law until he was admitted to the bar, when he took his place among ambitious beginners and seasoned advocates, who already had made their mark. Besides being one of the city's leading at- torneys, Mr. Ehrenwerth is one of the ranking ora- tors of this portion of the country.

Mr. Ehrenwerth was married at Houston in 1917 to Miss Bessie Mae McGhee, a native Texan also, and a member of a well known family of this State. Mr. and Mrs. Ehrenwerth reside at 616 Hawthorne Street. He is a member of a number of civic and social organizations of the city, and assists in every way possible in the development and progress of Houston. His far-reaching legal activities have made him one of the most widely known attorneys of this portion of the State, and during his long residence in Houston, he has become the center of a group of ardent admirers and close friends and his clientele is composed of the citizenship of the State at large.

D. SKINNER, well known Houston drug- gist, attained a commendable reputation in the community for his activity in mercantile circles, and until his removal to Panhandle City, was the popular owner of Skinners Drug Store at 4117 Mckinney Avenue. The store was kept in accordance with Mr. Skinner's high ideals, and was one of the finest drug stores in the city.

Mr. Skinner was born at Vinita, Oklahoma, the eighteenth of December, 1884, son of J. W. Skinner, a native of Kentucky, who came to Oklahoma in the pioneer days and was prominently identified with the life here for sixty years. He lived right in the midst of the great Cherokee tribe. Mr. Skinner's mother, also deceased, was before her marriage, Miss Lucy Parks, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Skinner was educated in the public schools of Vinita, and as a young man went to Colorado, spending two years there. He then went to California and in the four- teen years of his residence there was all over the state. He was with the State departments for two years, later going into the drug business. He went from California to Springfield, Missouri, spending several years in the drug business there. Through his cousin, R. W. Coleman, he became interested in Houston, and Texas, and came to this city to look over the situation. He was greatly impressed with the unlimited opportunities offered, and decided to remain here. One year was spent at Goose Creek, where he operated a drug store, after which he bought the store in Houston, which he operated until his removal to Panhandle City.

Mr. Skinner typifies the modern type of druggist, and is thoroughly appreciative of the position he oc- cupies in modern life, and has made many friends in this city who regretted his removal from the city.

2130

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

EORGE D. SEARS, for many years one of the members of the legal fraternity at Houston, has advanced in his profession to a place among the foremost lawyers of Houston. Mr. Sears is Junior member of the legal firm of Amerman and Sears, one of the leading law firms of Houston, both in point of practice and pro- fessional standing. The firm was organized in 1920, as a partnership between Mr. Sears and A. E. Am- erman, an attorney of highest standing in his pro- fession. The firm of Amerman and Sears handle a general civil practice. Mr. Sears has received the best professional advantages. Mr. Sears was admit- ted to the bar at Houston in 1909, beginning his practice in this city. His prominence in law and affairs brought his appointment as Judge of the County Court at Law of Harris County, in Novem- ber, 1919. He performed the duties of this office until May, 1920, when he resigned to become City Solicitor of Houston, an office he held until 1921, since which time he has devoted his entire time to his private practice.

Mr. Sears is a native of Houston, and was born in this city the twenty-second of January, 1888, the son of W. G. and Mary (Du Bois) Sears. His family has produced many distinguished lawyers, his father, W. G. Sears, having been one of the prominent mem- bers of the Harris County Bar for many years. His great-grandfather, William F. Gray, was one of the early attorneys of Houston, and served at the first District Attorney in 1838. An uncle, Judge Peter W. Gray, was one of the founders of the law firm of Gray, Botts and Baker, one of the foremost legal firms of Houston, and one of the largest. Until he was twelve years of age Mr. Sears attended the public schools of Houston. He then entered the West Texas Military Academy, continuing his studies there for a number of years, after which he entered the University of Texas, at Austin, in the Law Department. He took the bar examination and was admitted to the bar in 1909, beginning his practice at Houston. The ninth of May, 1916, Mr. Sears enlisted in military service, with the Third Texas Infantry, and was made First Lieutenant. He was later transferred to the 143rd Infantry, with the Thirty-Sixth Division, and commissioned Second Lieutenant, in December, 1917, and First Lieutenant in July, 1918. He was discharged in June, 1919, on the twentieth day of that month.

Mr. Sears was married at Houston, April, 1917, to Miss Evelyn Fuller. Mr. and Mrs. Sears have one child, Evelyn Sears, whose birth occurred in Hous- ton. They reside at 6161 Fargo Avenue. Mr. Sears is a Veteran of Foreign Wars, a member of the River Oaks Country Club and of the Harris County Bar Association. He has for many years taken a deep interest in the advancement of Houston as the commercial center of the Southwest. He has also been active in all civic work, and has supported the various civic movements of the past decade or more.

TIS K. HAMBLEN, attorney at law, of Houston, Texas, has during more than a score of years' practice before the Houston bar, been identified with many of the prom- inent cases which have come before the courts of South Texas. For many years he was a member of the well known law firm of E. P. and Otis K. Hamb- len, which was regarded as one of the strongest firms of South Texas. It was composed of the sub-

ject of this sketch and his father, Judge E. P. Hamb- len, for many years known as one of Texas' most able attorneys. Mr. Hamblen joined his father in the practice of law in 1901 soon after he received his degree from the University of Texas, and imme- diately took his place in the Houston bar. Since the death of his father in November, 1924, he has car- ried on the work of the firm. He has a large prac- tice, much of which is land law, in which he spe- cializes. Mr. Hamblen is regarded as an authority in this branch of his profession. The office is lo- cated on the fourth floor of the Scanlan Building.

A native Houstonian, Mr. Hamblen was born on August 10th, 1878. His father, the late Judge E. P. Hamblen, a native of Mississippi, was one of the foremost lawyers of Texas, and his services were sought by clients throughout the Southwest. Judge E. P. Hamblen served throughout the Civil War, after which he attended the University of Mis- sissippi, graduating at Oxford in 1868. In 1869, he came to Houston where he resided until his death. In addition to being a leader of the bar, Judge Hamb- len was one of the builders of this city. When he came here fifty-five years ago, Houston was an ambitious village located on the banks of the murky Buffalo Bayou. From this village, he witnessed the rise of the magnificent city of today, with the world's traffic brought to its doors on ocean-going vessels, and all the modern appurtenances of a mod- ern city-the metropolis of the Southwest. Otis K. Hamblen's mother (deceased since 1907) was Miss Mary Scott, a native of Mississippi and a member of a prominent family of that state. His early edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Hous- ton, after which he entered the V. M. I., where he made a special study of engineering. He later be- came a student of the law department of the Uni- versity of Texas and graduated from that institu- tion in the class of 1901 with the L. L. B. degree, after which he began the active practice of law.

Mr. Hamblen is a leader, not only in the legal circles of his generation, but is a leader also in all civic matters having to do with the improvement and advancement of his city. He is a member of the Houston Club, the Houston Country Club, the Uni- versity Club, the Conopus Club and the Houston Chamber of Commerce, in all of which he takes an active part. Mr. Hamblen is popular in the busi- ness and social circles of Houston, and has estab- lished a place of marked distinction in the legal profession of his native state.

DRIAN F. LEVY, attorney and counselor at law, with offices in the United States Na- tional Bank Building, Galveston, and branch offices at Houston, Dallas and Texas City, is one of the best known attorneys in South Texas and has an exceptionally large corporation practice. Mr. Levy began the practice of his profession fol- lowing the close of the war in 1918 and his success is attested by the ever increasing number of clients who retain him to handle their legal affairs.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 162

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