New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 34

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 34

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).

Hallie R. Pritchard was born the twenty-ninth of November, 1905, the daughter of Charles T. Pritch- ard and Byrona (McKeen) Pritchard. Her father came to Houston when she was a child of two years, and has since been in the rice brokerage business in this city. Mr. Pritchard is one of the veterans in this line, and one of the oldest rice men in the State. Her mother is a descendant of two of the oldest Texas families, the grand-daughter of Col. Henry F. Fisher and Col. A. C. McKeen, and Miss Pritchard is of the fifth generation of native Texans, and also a direct descendant of Thomas McKeen, one of the signers of the declaration of Independence of the United States. Miss Pritchard was educated in the Houston public schools, graduating from the High School here, after which she went to New York, where she studied dancing for two years under Miss Nellie Foglesang, of Long Island, later study- ing with Vestoff Sorova, of the Russian Ballet. Re- turning to her home she opened her studio, at 616 Elgin Street, to selected pupils, and, since 1924, has occupied a studio at the corner of Rusk and Louisiana, constructed especially for her use. Miss Pritchard makes her home with her parents at 3406 Travis Street, and attends the Episcopal Church, where she is a teacher in the Sunday School and an active worker in church affairs. She is an honor member of the Conopus Club. Miss Pritchard is always ready and willing to help in any entertain- ment, and on many occasions has given her aid in staging benefits and other events. As an artist, her work shows an earnestness, happily blended with a real talent, that delights her audiences, and she is one of the most admired dancers in the city.

1285

MEN OF TEXAS

ILLIAN CULMORE, Teacher of Dramatic Art, Writer and Producer of Pageants, and Club woman, is recognized as one of the leading women of the State in all matters having to do with the education, progress and de- velopment of the citizenship of Texas. She has re- sided in Houston since she was six years of age, and has been teaching here for the past twelve years, and is considered the leading teacher in her line in South Texas. She is now establishing in Houston a school for Dramatic Art covering all branches of the work, and will have capable in- structors at the head of each department, and plans to make this the leading school of its kind in the entire Southwest. Lillian Culmore has one of the finest homes in Houston, which will be devoted to the school, and she will maintain a theater and con- duct dramas for the benefit of the pupils attending this school. Her pupils are not limited to Houston but many come from the surrounding towns in order to obtain instruction under the able guidance of this talented woman. She has produced seven big page- ants in Houston. She wrote and produced the Page- ant of Texas History, which had eight hundred people in the cast, and this colossal undertaking was a huge success. Numbering among the many page- ants which she has produced are "The Torch Bear- ers," with eighteen hundred people in the cast; "Blue Crusaders," with six hundred people, and "New Era," with nine hundred people in the cast.

A native Texan, Lillian Culmore was born in San Antonio. Her father, H. P. Reed, a native of Louis- iana, was a large land owner and planter of Bexar County. Her mother was Miss Rose Bullock, a mem- ber of a prominent Alabama family. Her early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Houston, after which she entered the Academy of Dramatic Art of New York City as a student under Franklin H. Sargent; and has studied under the famous dramatic teacher, Theodore Ursler Irvine. She then became a student of the Univer- sity of Chicago in the Department of Oration. She then spent five years under the direction of Marie Ware Loughton, the Director and Manager of the Out Door Players of Boston, after which she at- tended the Egan Dramatic School at Los Angeles. Beginning in April of 1923 she has been associated with the School of the Theater of New York City.

Lillian Culmore was married in Houston to Mr. March Culmore, capitalist and Vice President of the State National Bank. Mr. Culmore is a member of one of Houston's pioneer families, his father, Charles Culmore, was for many years one of the leading at- torneys of Houston. Her home is situated at 401 Pierce Avenue, and is one of the most palatial in the city. Lillian Culmore is a member of the Woman's Club, the Ladies' Reading Club, the Girls' Musical Club, the Woman's Choral Club and the Houston Art League, in all of which she takes an active interest. She is a consistent and earnest worker of Trinity Episcopal Church. She has had many years of ex- perience along the line of dramatic work and is considered one of the best in this section of the coun- try, in fact she is recognized as a finished artist. She is truly a woman of exceptional talent, and has appeared in many of the larger cities of the country, where she has proved to be very popular with the lovers of dramatic art. She was Managing Director of "The Little Theater" in Houston during its active

existence and this organization made wonderful progress under her able guidance. She represented the Texas Federation of Woman's Club in a cam- paign for the good roads movement, which resulted in the Good Roads Bill being passed by the Texas Legislature. She has the distinction of being the only woman ever to attempt this work. In addition to her many talents, Lillian Culmore is a woman who has rare business ability, is a lover of home, is do- mestically inclined in every way, and is in fact a woman's woman.

ATHERINE ALLEN LIVELY, teacher and composer of music, has a number of years been engaged in teaching piano, and in the composition of music. Mrs. Lively is one of the best known and most accomplished artists in her line in Houston. being an acknowledged and accepted composer. She made her musical debut in Chicago under Allen Spencer, and has appeared in concert with Nicklia Sokoloff, violinist, in all the largest cities of Texas, and with Bruno Steindel and Hans Letz, violinist, Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Mrs. Lively is a daughter of Captain W. A. Allen, pioneer minister and resident of North Texas; he named the town of Clarendon and founded the Methodist College at that place. He was captain in the Civil War. Her mother was, prior to her mar- riage, Miss Emma Bangs Carhart, a member of a prominent New York family, very musical and highly educated. Mrs. Lively inherited her mother's musical talent, and at the age of six years played the piano, and demonstrated to her teachers and others that she was a musician by nature. This, with her educational advantages has made of her an exceptional artist. Numbered among the mas- ters with whom she has studied are Allen Spencer of the Chicago Conservatory of Music, Earnest Kroeger of St. Louis, Arne Oldberg of Chicago, Wagner Swayne in Paris, France, Josef Lhevinne, Ernesto Consolo in Europe and William McCoy. Af- ter returning from Europe, Katherine Allen Lively was for a period of two years musical editor of the Houston Chronicle and in the same position for the Houston Post for one year. During the period that Mrs. Lively was engaged strictly in teaching, she turned out some very accomplished pupils, both in Houston and the surrounding towns who came to this city in order to obtain her services as an in- structor. She does much community work along musical lines, and has played for all the club and societies in Houston. For the past four years Mrs. Lively has given a large share of her time to com- position, and has been recognized in New York as one of the coming American composers since 1923. Numbers now being used extensively are, "Within The Walls of China," "LaClavel," "Pekita," and her latest song, published this year "Texas," a patriotic song, published in Houston. Mrs. Lively is the first Texas woman to have a composition accepted for the Ampico. "Within The Walls of China," is now re- leased over this instrument, and is also used in the finer moving picture theaters throughout America.

Katherine Allen Lively is popular, not only in the musical circles of Houston, but with all who have the pleasure of knowing her. She organized the Junior Music Study Club, and is an enthusiastic worker in this organization, and is an honor mem- ber of the Salesmanship Club.

1286

Lillian Culture

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

R. JOHN L. DICKENS, one of the best known educators, not only of Texas but through- out the country, came to Houston in 1918 and established the Houston Bible Institute, of which he is president and owner, at 511 West Ala- bama Avenue. The Houston Bible Institute occu- pies a splendid two-story building of hollow inter- locking tile and stucco, which was built for the pur- pose of this school and is fifty-four feet by sixty feet in size and is one of the most modern estab- lishments in the country devoted to education. It is especially well lighted and ventilated throughout and constructed with a view of facilitating the work of both teachers and pupils. Dr. Dickens owns this building and the ground on which it was erected. This institute was established for the purpose of teaching the Bible, God's word and Christianity. Four teachers, who are especially well versed in Bible history, are employed and one hundred and twenty-five pupils are in attendance. The institute also has one of the largest and most complete libraries to be found in a college of its kind in the country. This is a growing institution and like all others, it takes time in which to acquaint the public with their object and purpose, and Dr. Dickens has succeeded in doing this.

Dr. Dickens was born in Gibson County, Tennes- see. His father, Robert G. Dickens, was a farmer and large land owner of that state. His mother was Miss Mary M. Dickey, a member of a well known Tennessee family. Dr. Dickens' early education was obtained in the common schools of Gibson County and the high school at Newbern, Tennessee. He then entered Bethel College at Mckenzie, Tennessee, where he remained for five years and graduated from that institution with the degree of B. A. He then became a student at the Lane Theological Sem- inary at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for two years and then entered Cumberland University, where he remained for one year and received the B. D. degree. Dr. Dickens at this time was elected as professor at Bethel College and was later made pres- ident of this well known institution and remained with this college for a period of nine years. He then came to Texas as president of the Trinity Uni- versity, where he remained for one year, and then went to Weatherford, Texas, as president of the Young Ladies College at that place, where he re- mained for one year. Following this, Dr. Dickens returned to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he re- mained for one year; also at Dyer, Tennessee, for two years and then in Kentucky and Mississippi, making a total of five years that he was away from Texas. In 1908, he returned to the Lone Star State and was pastor of a church in Galveston and South Houston for a period of ten years and then estab- lished the Houston Bible Institute. Dr. Dickens now has the degree of Ph. D. from Cumberland Univer- sity of Lebanon, Tennessee, the M. A. degree from McKendric College of Lebanon, Illinois, the L. L. D. degree from Butler College at Indianapolis, Indiana, and degree of S. T. D. from the University of Har- riman at Harriman, Tennessee.

Dr. Dickens has been twice married. His first marriage was in Gibson County, Tennessee, to Miss Mattie J. Tiner, who died in Quanah, Texas, in 1893. Dr. Dickens was married the second time in 1895 at Nesbitt, Mississippi, to Miss Mary E. Bridgeforth, a daughter of Oliver Bridgeforth, a prominent cot-

ton planter of Mississippi. Dr. Dickens has two children, J. Ernest Dickens, thirty-two years of age, and Mrs. J. H. Shively. Dr. Dickens is a member of the A. F. & A. M., being a Master Mason of that order. He is a staunch and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Dickens has great faith in the future of Houston and believes that it will soon become the leading city of the Southwest. OY G. WATSON, former president and pub- lisher of the Houston Post, needs no intro- duction to the people of Texas, where for a period of eight years he conducted one of the leading metropolitan dailies of the Lone Star State, and during which period of time he was a potent factor in every important issue, political, civic and commercial, which had a bearing upon the de- velopment and progress of the South Texas metropo- lish, which was the city of his birth, and in which he had spent the greater part of his life. A chron- icle of the achievements of men of Houston who are deserving of creditable mention in the annals of Houston history would be incomplete without a brief resume of the part which he and his father, J. L. Watson, played in this rapidly growing metro- polis. The Houston Post has long been an impor- tant institution in the development of this city and has been under the control of the Watson family for over two score years. The Post was first established by J. L. Watson, Professor T. J. Girardeau and Dr. Young in 1885. The two former gentlemen, prior to that time had been proprietors of an afternoon paper known as the Herald, while Dr. Young was the owner of the Chronicle. The two newspapers were consolidated under the name of the Houston Post. This newspaper had its periods of financial tribulations, but due to the efficient management of J. L. Watson, was piloted through to a successful position which it always maintained as Houston's leading morning newspaper.

A native Texan, Roy G. Watson was born in Hous- ton December 27th, 1890. His father, J. L. Wat- son, who was a newspaper man, came to this city from Kentucky in 1875. His mother, nee Nettie May Phillips, was a member of a well known Louisiana family. Mr. Watson received his elementary educa- tion in the schools of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, later attending Princeton University, graduating with the degree of Litt. B. in the class of 1914. He then returned to Houston, becoming associated with the Houston Publishing Company, Inc. He was made treasurer of this company in 1914 and in 1916 became president of the company, which was the publishers of the Houston Post. Mr. Watson, on taking charge of this daily inaugurated many new and progressive ideas. He had ideas and ideals of his own and fearlessly championed any cause which he considered right, irrespective of the consequences. He successfully piloted the Post through a period of political discord and built up a reputation of being one of the cleanest dailies in the country. Mr. Wat- son sold the controlling interest in the Post in July, 1924 and retired from active newspaper work. He spent a year traveling abroad, combining a pleas- ure seeking trip with the study of the economic conditions throughout the European countries. He has built a new home in Asheville, North Carolina, where he expects to reside a portion of his time, but still maintains his business interests in Houston.

1289

MEN OF TEXAS

RS. ROBERT L. COX came to Houston in 1904 and since that time has been active in the music circles of the city, where she was one of the leading teachers of voice, but she is now devoting her entire time to the Treble Clef Club, of which organization she is Musical Di- rector and Director General. The Treble Clef Club was started in 1892 and has about two hundred members. This club has brought to Houston more of the leading artists to appear in public concert than any other organization in the city. Mrs. Cox has been one of the leading teachers in Houston, but has practically retired from teaching and devotes all of her time to the management of the Treble Clef Club, the success of which is largely due to her untiring efforts in enlisting the co-operation of her associates. She became associated with this club twelve years ago and it has, under her able guid- ance and supervision, become one of the leading musical organizations in the South. In devoting her entire time, efforts and accomplishments to the club, she is doing so without remuneration, but for the good of the club. Mrs. Cox has brought to Houston personally many of the most noted artists of the present day; among this number are Pader- ewski, John McCormack, Louis Graveure and Erika Marini. The artists that have been brought to Houston for the Treble Clef Club, under the per- sonal supervision of Mrs. Cox are numbered: Schu- mann-Heink, Nordica, Davis Bispham, Galli Curci, Alma Gluck, Albert Spaulding, Ignaz Friedman, Arthur Middleton, Pasquala Matzenauer, Frances Alda, Mary Garden, Florence Hinkle, Heifitz, Fritz Kreisler, Louis Graveure, Mischa Elman, Paul Alt- house, Frank LaForge, Cyrena Van Gordon, Salvi (the world's greatest harpist), Florence Macbeth and many others. Mrs. Cox is the originator of the Morning Musicales at the Rice Hotel, which were first given under her personal supervision, and have proven to be extremely popular and entertaining.

A native Texan, Mrs. Cox was born at Corsicana. Her father, John Anderson, was at one time one of the cattle kings of Texas, and was widely known, not only in Texas, but in other states as well. Her mother was Miss Linnie Dixon, a member of a well known Texas family, a descendant of Dr. William Dixon, who built the third home in Corsicana and who was the first person to be buried in the ceme- tery at that place. Mrs. Cox has had an exceptional and unusual education, which began in the public and high schools of Corsicana and later was a stu- dent of the Athenean School for Girls at Columbia, Tennessee, where she completed her literary and academic courses. She then entered the College of Music at Cincinnati, where she remained for a num- ber of years, studying voice under Lino Mattioli and conducting, in which she has been highly successful, under Frank Van Der Stucken and Tecla Vigna. She then went to London, England, and studied for one season under George Henschel. Following her studies under Henschel, she studied for one season under Ira Aldrich, who is a cousin of the famous Jennie Lind, and one of the foremost instructors in the world. She then spent one season as a pupil of Oscar Seagle and went to Paris, France, where she was for two seasons under Lloyd D'Aubigne, and returned to Chicago, where she spent one season as a pupil of David Bispham.

Mrs. Cox was married in Houston in 1905 to Dr.

Robert L. Cox, who is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Houston. They have one child, Lavoy Cox. The Cox home is at 1116 Jefferson Avenue, where Mrs. Cox has one of the most at- tractive studios in the State. Mrs. Cox has always been popular in the music circles of Houston and it is a loss to the music-loving people of the city and the citizenship in general, that Mrs. Cox has retired from active teaching, as she was regarded as one of the best instructors in South Texas, and many of the best musicians of the city obtained their musical education under her able guidance and supervision. One of her pupils is now teaching in New York City, with a studio in the Metropolitan Opera House Build- ing.

ISS ANN FRANCES SPROULE. Miss Ann Frances Sproule has for the twelve years past been a resident of Beaumont, Texas, where she is the head of the Sproule School of Dancing, one of the largest and most efficient of its kind in South Texas, and the only one in the city. The studio is at Harmony Hall, Fannin Street, between Orleans and Park.

Miss Sproule is ably assisted by her sister, Judith Trueheart Sproule, who has had the advantages of study under the same famous instructors and is also regarded as a most accomplished artist.

The Misses Sproule go east, each year, and have taught in the Normal School of the American Na- tional Society of Dancing Masters and at their con- ventions, held in Los Angeles, California (1923), Chicago, Illinois (1924), and in Cleveland, Ohio (1925).

The pupils of the Sproule School of Dancing range in age from three and one-half years on up to adults. The attendance is not confined to residents of Beau- mont, for many pupils come from other cities and towns, to obtain instruction, under the able tutelage of the Misses Sproule.

Classes in Greek interpretative, classical ballet, acrobatic, American tap, musical comedy and mod- ern ball room dancing are conducted daily.

A native Texan, Miss Sproule was born at Gal- veston. Her mother, Frances Garland Trueheart, was a member of a pioneer Texas family, one of the most prominent in the state. Her father, Henry Fletcher Sproule, was a native of Liverpool, Eng- land, who later became a well known cotton broker of the Island City. Miss Sproule's academic educa- tion was obtained in the public and high schools of Galveston and later she studied in England, Germany and France.

Miss Sproule is a member of the American Na- tional Association of Dancing Masters and is the state supervisor for this organization.

Among the masters of the art of dancing, under whom the Misses Sproule have studied, are Stefano Mascagno, Fokine, Chalif, Vestoff Serova, Oscar Duryea, Norma Gould of California, Ginner-Mawer and Espinosa, the last two of London.

The Misses Sproule are popular in social circles of Beaumont and throughout the state, where they have a host of friends. They are ardent workers in all civic activities and ever ready to donate their art to charity or for the progress and advancement of their city and state.

1290

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

ILLIAM LEWIS SACHTLEBEN came to Houston in 1911, and since that time has become well-known and popular in the the- atrical and advertising circles. At this time he is engaged in advertising pursuits, devoting most of his attention to the publicity of the Palace and Majestic Theaters of this city. For eleven years he occupied the position of manager of the Majestic Theater, now known as the Palace Theater. Here he gained invaluable experience, which is srving him in his present capacity. Being familiar with every department of the theater, he has become successful in his present field, realizing that the success or failure of a theatrical enterprise pretty much de- pends upon the advertising department.

Mr. Sachtleben was born in Alton, Illinois, on March 29th, 1866. His father, William Sachtleben, was engaged in the mercantile business for many years, but thirty years ago retired from active business pursuits, and died in California at the age of ninety years. His mother was Miss Amelia Ubert, a member of a prominent Illinois family. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Illinois, and later he became a student of Smith Academy of St. Louis, where he remained for three years. He then entered Washington Uni- versity, where he remained for four years, and grad- uated from this institution in the class of 1890 with the degree of B. A. After finishing college, Mr. Sachtleben, with a classmate, Thomas G. Allen, started and finished a tour of the world on bicy- cles, and three years were required to make the trip. On this trip they visited every country in the world and all of the principal cities; many thrill- ing experiences were encountered on the trip, but nothing of a serious nature happened to these ad- venture-filled boys. This is on record as the only instance in which a feat of this kind has ever been accomplished. They were entertained by Kings, No- blemen, and people of note in every country. They have written several books on their travels; these books have been published and are sold all over the world. From 1897 to 1899, Mr. Sachtleben was in Alaska, and from 1900 to 1910 in Canada with the Osborne Company, in the advertising business.

Mr. Sachtleben was married in St. Louis in 1903 to Miss Mae Merriman, a member of a prominent Missouri family. Mr. and Mrs. Sachtleben reside at 4819 San Jacinto Street. Mr. Sachtleben is a member of the B. P. O. E. and takes an active in- terest in this organization. Mr. Sachtleben has made many friends in Houston and in South Texas, where he is recognized as a man of personality. In addition to his having traveled the wide world over, and having seen and experienced it all, Mr. Sachtleben is a linguist, speaking, reading and writ- ing many languages.

D. A. GREENBLATT is well known in the theatrical circles of the country and has been engaged in the show business all his life, the greater part of this time as a manager. For about ten years he has been asso- ciated with the Saenger Amusement Company, managing various theatres for them. For several years he was the popular manager of the Isis Theatre in Houston. In Monroe, Louisiana, he is taking the same keen interest in giving the people the very best in the amusement line.

Mr. Greenblatt was born at Pine Bluff, Arkansas,

April 24th, 1879. His father, M. Greenblatt, was well known in the business circles of that city. His mother was Miss Carrie Winter, a member of a prominent Pine Bluff family. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Shreve- port, Louisiana. Soon after leaving school, Mr. Greenblatt entered the theatrical business and for ten years was connected with the Grand Opera House at Shreveport. He then went with Ehrlich Brothers and Coleman, and had ten theatres in Louisiana and Mississippi and managed a theatre at Monroe, Louisiana, for ten years. He was also with Innes Band and other road attractions through the South. In 1916, Mr. Greenblatt went with the Saenger Amusement Company, and in 1918 was sent to Houston as manager of the Isis Theatre, where he made many friends and where he is highly re- garded.

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 34

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