New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 37

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 37

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).

Judge Greer was married in Corsicana in May, 1883, to Miss Hallie Read, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Judge F. N. Read, a Judge of one of the courts of Virginia. The Read family is one of the oldest and most prominent in the State of Vir- ginia, and through this family connection, Judge Greer's wife is a member of the Colonial Societies. They have six children, Emma, now Mrs. H. L. Hol- man, of Beaumont; Mary, now Mrs. W. B. Pyron; Lena, at home with her parents; Hallie Read, now Mrs. R. E. Hardwicke; Frederick E., Attorney with

the Gulf Companies, and Oden S., a student in New York. H. L. Holman is Assistant Treasurer of the Magnolia Petroleum Company. W. B. Pyron is Vice-President of the Gulf Production Company, and of the Gulf Pipe Line Company; and R. E. Hard- wicke is Attorney for the Venezuela Gulf Oil Com- pany, with headquarters at Caracas. Judge Greer is associated with many of the Houston enterprises, and is a Director of the Houston Building and Loan Association. The Dallas Companies, of which he is a Director, are: The American Trust Company; the Fidelity Union Insurance Company, and the Em- ployers Casualty Company. He is a member of the American State and County Bar Association, the Houston and the River Oaks Country Clubs, and the Episcopal Church. Judge Greer is a pioneer among men of his profession, and is a true type of the lawyer of the old school and a Southern gentleman. His ancestors were members of the legal fraternity and he comes of a great legal family. His cousin, the late James L. Autry, was a great lawyer and a man who was beloved by all classes. Judge Greer is highly regarded as a lawyer and a citizen and is one of the leaders of the Bar of Texas. In the field in which he has specialized for over fifteen years, namely, oil and gas law, he is considered an author- ity and his articles contributed to the "Texas Law Review" and the "Central Law Journal" are fre- quently quoted.

OBERT H. KELLEY is a member of the firm of Andrews, Streetman, Logue and Mobley, attorneys at law, and one of the largest legal firms at Houston. He joined this firm in 1910, at that time engaging in general practice, but of recent years limiting his work almost exclusively to railroad practice. Mr. Kelley's firm is retained by the Gulf Coast Lines and the Houston Belt and Terminal Railroad as general attorneys, handling both office and trial work.

Mr. Kelley is a native Houstonian, having been born in this city the twenty-fifth of July, 1888. His father, R. E. Kelley, a native of Virginia, came to Houston in 1885 and was a newspaper man here and in Beaumont until his death in 1900. His mother, be- fore her marriage, was Miss Maria Hamilton, a na- tive of Washington, D. C., and now makes her home in Houston. Mr. Kelley attended private schools at Houston until he entered Georgetown University. He took the B. A. degree at the Catholic University of America in 1908, after which he entered the University of Texas, in the department of law, hav- ing the L. L. B. degree conferred on him by that institution in 1910. He returned to his home in Houston and entered the firm of Andrews, Street- man, Logue and Mobley.

Mr. Kelley was married at Lynchburg, Virginia, the twelfth of October, 1911, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Young, a native of that city and the daughter of Dr. C. B. Young, a prominent physician of Lynch- burg. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have an attractive home at 2516 Commonwealth Avenue, in Hyde Park. They have three daughters, Anne, Mary Elizabeth, and Frank Andrews. Mr. Kelley is a Knight of Colum- bus, fourth degree, a member of the Houston, Club, the Houston Country Club and the Harris County Bar Association, the Texas Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. In civic matters, he takes a deep interest, and has been identified with the various movements directed toward the develop- ment of the city.

1307

MEN OF TEXAS

AM R. MERRILL, one of the recent recruits to the legal fraternity at Houston, came here a number of years ago, after around two decades of practice in Texas, and has established an enviable reputation for his knowledge of law and procedure, and is regarded as one of the most able attorneys of Houston. Mr. Merrill is a member of the law firm of Ball and Merrill, one of the foremost law firms of Houston, and composed of Mr. Merrill and Col. Tom H. Ball. The firm of Ball and Merrill was established the first of January, 1922, since which time it has handled a large gen- eral practice, and has offices in the First National Bank Building. Mr. Merrill came to Houston in 1912, at that time forming a partnership with H. H. Cooper under the firm name of Cooper and Merrill. This firm lasted until July, 1921, from which time until the first of January, 1922, when he became associated with Colonel Ball, he practiced alone.

Sam R. Merrill was born in Collin County, on the twenty-fourth of December, 1876. His father, M. E. Merrill, a native of Texas, moved to the western part of the state in 1878, and has been a ranchman and cattleman at Lubbock for many years. Sam R. Merrill spent his boyhood on his father's ranch, at- tending the public schools of Plainview, and after finishing his public school work, entered the Uni- versity of Texas, in the law department, taking the L. L. B. degree in 1902. He then went to Amarillo, beginning his practice in that city as a member of the law firm of Bowman and Merrill. In 1904 he was elected county judge, serving until 1908, when he formed an association with H. H. Cooper and A. A. Lumpkin. The law firm of Cooper, Merrill and Lumpkin lasted until Mr. Cooper and Mr. Merrill removed to Houston, opening an office here as Coop- er and Merrill. Later Mr. Merrill left the firm, practicing alone until 1922, when he entered the law firm of Ball and Merrill.

Mr. Merrill was married at Fort Worth, Texas, the twenty-sixth of April, 1906, to Miss Dela Triplett, a native of Hale County, and who was reared on her father's ranch in Western Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Mer- rill reside in Houston, at 910 West Main Street, and have five children, Sam A., Mildred, Frank L., Bruce R., and Helen Joyce. Mr. Merrill is a member of River Oaks Country Club, the Houston Club, and the Elks Club, and fraternally is a Mason, Temple Blue Lodge, 32nd degree Scottish Rite, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine, at Houston. Mr. Merrill is interested in the beautification, development and growth of Houston, and since coming here has en- tered heartily into the spirit of progress that has made Houston the leading city of Southeast Texas.

ESSE R. STONE, one of the prominent at- torneys of the Harris County Bar, and for upwards of a decade a resident of Houston, has taken an active part in the civic and professional life of this city, and is one of the best known and most accomplished patent lawyers here. Mr. Stone came to Houston in 1917, and has since been associated with the firm of Andrews, Street- man, Logue and Mobley, a firm handling a general civil practice. Mr. Stone specializes in patents, and has charge of this department of the firm's prac- tice. The legal firm is one of the largest in Hous- ton, and, in addition to Frank Andrews, Judge Sam Streetman, John L. Logue and John A. Mobley, the

members of the firm, has seven highly trained specialists, of whom Mr. Stone is one. The firm has offices in the Union National Bank Building. Prior to coming to Houston, Mr. Stone practiced law in the District of Columbia, where he was ad- mitted to the Bar in June, 1915, specializing in pat- ents. Up to the time of his admittance to the Bar there he had been in the Patent Office at Washing- ton, D. C., for three and a half years, and was a recognized expert in this work. His brilliant record in Houston as a patent lawyer has brought him into more than local prominence, and he is considered a real authority on this phase of legal work.

Jesse R. Stone was born at Madison, Wisconsin, the thirteenth of September, 1881, son of W. W. Stone, a farmer, who still makes that state his home, and Elizabeth Tripp Stone. He attended the public schools of Horicon, Wisconsin, until grad- uating from High School, after which he entered the University of Wisconsin, from which he graduated with the A. B. Degree, in 1899. He then went to Washington, where he was in the patent office, and attended George Washington University, taking the LL. B. Degree in 1915.

Mr. Stone was married at Washington, D. C., in 1906, to Miss Mildred Ruser, of New York City. They now make their home in Houston, at 1414 Cas- tle Court Boulevard. They have two children, Ray- mond and Catherine. Fraternally, Mr. Stone is a Mason, and takes a deep interest in Masonic activi- ties. He belongs to the University Club, and is a popular member of the social and civic cliques of the city. Mr. Stone's present recognition as a leader in his field of legal work, with his mental ability, poise, and distinction of character, suggests a fu- ture wherein he will attain a place among the most successful and widely known patent lawyers of the country.

E. KURTH has been prominently identified with law and business affairs of Houston for upwards of a decade, and his name car- ries a prestige in the Harris County Bar that is a distinct asset to the city, with which it is associated. Mr. Kurth is a member of the law firm of Andrews, Streetman, Logue and Mobley, one of the leading law firms of Houston, and one that has had a remarkable growth since its establishment. The firm occupies the twelfth floor of the Union National Bank Building, and in addition to the mem- bers of the firm has a large legal staff, making it one of the largest law firms in this part of the country. Mr. Kurth specializes in banking, com- mercial and industrial matters, and handles a large part of the work in this field for his firm. He was admitted to the bar in 1913, becoming connected with the firm of Andrews, Streetman, Logue and Mobley at that time, and has since been with this firm, steadily advancing to a favorable position among the members of his profession in Houston and South Texas.

M. E. Kurth was born at Keltys, in Angelina County, Texas, the twenty-fourth of July, 1890. His father, J. H. Kurth, a native of Germany, came to the United States and Texas as a young man of twenty, and engaged in the lumber business for many years, until his recent retirement. He still, however, looks after his lumber interests. M. E. Kurth's mother, who before her marriage, was Miss Hattie Gleam, was a native of Montgomery County,

1308

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Texas, and is now deceased. Mr. Kurth was edu- cated in the public schools of Keltys and Lufkin, later going to Washington and Lee University, where he took the A. B. degree in 1911, after which he entered the University of Texas, taking the L. L. B. degree in 1913. Mr. Kurth then came to Houston, beginning his practice here in July, 1913, and prac- ticing alone until the following November, when he went with the law firm of Andrews, Streetman, Logue and Mobley, with which he has since been associated.

Mr. Kurth was married at Houston the twenty- eighth of February, 1917, to Miss Isabel Fowler, a native of Texas, and the daughter of John Fowler, for many years a resident of this State, but now of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Kurth have a very attractive home at 1603 North Boulevard, Edgemont Addition, and have two children, Mary and Aurelia. Mr. Kurth is a Director of the University Club, and a member of the River Oaks Country Club. Frater- nally he is a Mason, Temple Lodge No. 4, Thirty- Second degree, Scottish Rite, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine. His present recognition, in keeping with his advancement in the past decade, suggests an unusually brilliant future for Mr. Kurth.

ENRY J. DANNENBAUM, Attorney at Law, Houston, Texas, was born in the town of Columbia, on October 30th, 1871, of Ger- man-Jewish parentage. The family moved to Seguin in 1879. The subject of this sketch at- tended the public schools there, and in 1887 went to Emory & Henry College at Emory, Virginia, from which he graduated in 1890. Returning home, he read law in the office of Judge J. B. Dibrell and was granted a license to practice his profession in May, 1892. In the fall of that year he located at Houston, where he has since resided.

Mr. Dannenbaum has always found time to en- gage in public and communal activities in which he felt an interest. He participated from the beginning in the affairs of the local Jewish community. His activity in the Independent Order B'nai B'rith, an international Jewish organization of benevolent ac- tivities, culminated in his election as president of District No. 7, of the order, composed of seven Southern States. While holding this position in 1911, he accepted a temporary appointment under Attorney General Wickersham, and directed the en- forcement of the federal white slave law, known as the Mann act, throughout the United States. During this period of four months Mr. Dannenbaum had his headquarters in New York City.

Locally, Mr. Dannenbaum has served as presi- dent of the school board and of the Civil Service Commission. For four years, 1915 to 1919, he was judge of the Sixty-first Judicial District of Texas, from which he resigned to resume the practice of law. During the war, by courtesy of the bar which monthly chose one of its members to occupy the judicial office during his absence, Mr. Dannenbaum was enabled to serve as chief of the enforcement division of the Federal Food Administration in Texas.

As previously indicated, Mr. Dannenbaum feels a deep interest in the welfare of his race. This led him to go to New York City in the fall of 1921 and take charge of the campaign conducted there to raise funds for the rebuilding of Palestine as the

Jewish National Homeland. After a stay of six months, he returned home, but broken in health, which he did not recover for some time.

Mr. Dannenbaum reopened a law office in Hous- ton in October, 1923, and is enjoying a satisfactory practice. His wife, to whom he was married in 1897, and their six children all live in Houston. He is not a member of any club or fraternal order, but is wedded to home life, his profession and lit- erature. He enjoys a good anecdote and tries to tell one, with poor results.

UDGE JOHN T. ADAMS, an honored resi- dent of Orange for about three decades, began the practice of law here shortly after his arrival in the city, and has con- tinued to follow this vocation to the present time, steadily advancing to a position among the fore- most lawyers of this section. Judge Adams is a member of the law firm of Adams and Bruce, which was established in 1920, and which is composed of himself and Judge E. L. Bruce. The firm handles a general practice, and has an imposing list of clients, including among the number some of the leading firms and individuals of the city. Offices are in the Petty Building. Judge Adams came to Orange in 1895, establishing his practice here at that time and served two terms as county attorney, later becoming a member of the firm of Adams and Huggins, with W. O. Huggins as his partner. This firm continued until Mr. Huggins removed to Hous- ton. Later he became a member of the firm of Bisland, Adams and Bruce, which continued until Mr. Bisland left the firm, when it became known as Adams and Bruce. During Judge Adams' years of practice at Orange his standing as a lawyer has been stamped with the approval of the people by his election and appointment to several public offices. In 1907 he was elected to the state legislature, where he served with distinction, was appointed and served several months as county judge, and later, in October, 1919, he was appointed district judge, to fill an unexpired term. In the latter part of 1920, at the expiration of his term and without being a candidate to succeed himself, he left the bench and entered private practice.

Judge Adams was born in Jasper County, Texas, the fifth of April, 1874. His father, R. F. Adams, a native Georgian, came to Jasper County in 1843, and has been a stockman and farmer in that county to the present time. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Goodman, is a native of Florida. John T. Adams attended the public schools of Jasper County, later studying law in the office of K. B. Seale, at that time a member of the state senate. He was admitted to the bar in 1894, and after looking over the state decided to come to Orange, establishing his practice here, and so con- tinuing to the present.

Judge Adams was married at Orange in January, 1899, to Miss Mary Thomas, a native of Wales, Eng- land. They have one child, Mattie, the widow of C. L. Adams, who has two children, John T. and Mattie Lee. Judge Adams is a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge at Orange, Knight Templar at Beau- mont, and is an Odd Fellow. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Orange Country Club, and is a leader in civic work in this city.

1309

MEN OF TEXAS

HARTON E. WEEMS, for around a decade identified with the legal fraternity at Hous- ton, is held in high esteem by the bench and bar, and is a leader among the younger pro- fessional men. Mr. Weems is a member of the law firm of Vinson, Elkins, Sweeton and Weems, one of the largest law firms in the state and one that has had a remarkable growth. Mr. Weems has been con- nected with this firm since 1919, and was made a member of the firm in 1921, since which time has looked after much of the business end of the large practice handled by this firm, and has also handled a general law practice. Mr. Weems has made a splendid record as a lawyer, and his career is re- garded as one of unusual promise. Aside from his professional activities, Mr. Weems is actively iden- tified with the business life of Houston. He is vice president of the Guaranty Trust Company, president of the Guaranty Realty and Investment Company, president of the Houston Company, president of the North Side Realty Company, secretary and treasurer of the Ship Channel Industrial Site Company.

Wharton E. Weems was born at Houston, Texas, the sixteenth of November, 1889, the son of Major B. F. Weems, a native of Virginia, who came to Texas as a young man and was a banker, insurance man and real estate man at Houston until his death in 1923. Major Weems was one of the Terry Ran- gers and served on the staff of General John A. Wharton throughout the Civil War, and was a well known pioneer in the development of Houston. His mother was Maria Nash (Carrington) Weems, a na- tive of Virginia, whose death occurred in 1921. Whar- ton E. Weems received his early education in the public schools of Houston, later entering the Uni- versity of Virginia, where he took the B. A. and M. A. degrees in 1912, after which he entered the law department of the University of Texas, taking his L. L. B. degree in the class of 1914. While in the University of Virginia, Mr. Weems became a mem- ber of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and while at the University of Texas he was elected to the hon- orary legal fraternity, Phi Delta Phi. Mr. Weems then returned to Houston, beginning his law practice here in association with K. C. Barkley and John E. Green, remaining with them until he entered the Army, in October, 1917. Mr. Weems was commis- sioned first lieutenant in the Aviation Signal Corps, and sent to Washington, D. C. and later to Camp Dick, at Dallas, at the time that camp was opened, helping organize the camp and serving as executive officer, practically in charge of Camp Dick, until October, 1918. He was commissioned captain at that time and transferred to Washington, D. C., and assigned to the General Staff and sent to Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, in charge of that district. He was discharged in December, 1918, returning to Houston, and in the early part of 1919 going with the firm of Vinson, Elkins, Sweeton and Weems.

Mr. Weems was married at Houston the second of November, 1918, to Miss Mathilda Booth, daughter of Horace Booth, traffic manager of the Interna- tional and Great Northern Railroad, and one of the most prominent railroad men of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Weems reside at 4301 Mount Vernon Avenue, and have two children, Elizabeth Virginia and Ben- jamin F. Mr. Weems is a member of the Houston Club, the Houston Country Club and the River Oaks Country Club.

UDGE ROY F. CAMPBELL, for many years a well known lawyer of Houston and South Texas, was appointed special judge of Coun- ty Court at Law No. 2 of Harris County in 1916 and served in this capacity until 1918 when he was elected to this office and was re-elected in 1920 and again in 1922. In 1924 he was elected judge of the Eightieth District Court, which position he now holds.

Judge Campbell was born in Houston on March 6th, 1885. His father, Eli F. Campbell, a native of Ohio, name to Texas in the early 70's and was with the Houston and Texas Central Railroad as foreman of their shops here until his death in 1899. His mother was Miss Sophia E. Bohn, a native of Ger- many, and came to the United States as a girl and was reared and educated here, where she resided con- tinuously. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Houston, after which he worked his way through the University of Texas, where he was a student during the years of 1906 and 1907. He returned to the University of Texas in 1912 where he remained for a few months and passed the examination prescribed for admission to the bar of Texas. After his admission to the bar, Judge Campbell returned to Houston and formed a partner- ship with Senator Charles Murphy and this partner- ship continued for a period of three years, when he became associated with George C. Scott in the prac- tice of law and continued with Mr. Scott until his appointment to the bench in 1916.

Judge Campbell was married in Houston June 10th, 1916, to Miss Nellie Meyer, a native of El- linger, Fayette County, Texas, and a daughter of O. A. Meyer, for many years a resident of the Lone Star State, where he was well known in the busi- ness circles. They have one daughter, Helen Eliza- beth. Judge and Mrs. Campbell reside at 2208 Dun- lavy. Judge Campbell is a member of the A. F. & A. M. with membership in Gray Lodge No. 329 of Houston, and is a member of the Houston Chapter Rose Croix and is also a 32nd degree Mason. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Dokeys and the Woodmen of the World. Judge Campbell has great faith in the future of the city of his nativ- ity and believes that the time is near at hand when Houston will be the leading city of the Southwest.

OBERT F. CAMPBELL is a member of the law firm of Andrews, Streetman, Logue and Mobley, one of the leading law firms of Houston, occupying the entire twelfth floor of the Union National Bank Building, and one of the strongest law firms of Texas. Mr. Campbell handles insurance and railroad matters coming to the firm, and represents a number of the railroad and in- surance companies at Houston in a legal capacity. Mr. Campbell became associated with the firm of Andrews, Streetman, Burns and Logue in 1914, at which time he was admitted to the Bar, and has been with them since that time, having been made a member of the firm in January, 1922.

Robert F. Campbell was born at Cleburne, Texas, the twenty-fifth of June, 1890, the son of Clark C. Campbell, a native of Louisiana, who came to Tex- as as a young man, and after many years as a railroad man was connected with Internal Revenue Office. Mr. R. F. Campbell's mother, who was before her marriage Miss Annie Fariss, a native

1310

Wharton 8. Weems

Frank & Breaker

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

of Alabama, has continued to make her home at Austin since her husband's death. Mr. Campbell was educated in the public schools of Austin, later entering the University of Texas, in the law depart- ment. After his admission to the Bar, in 1914, Mr. Campbell came direct to Houston, entering the law firm of Andrews, Streetman, Burns and Logue at that time.

Mr. Campbell was married at Fort Worth, Texas, the twelfth of March, 1918, to Genevieve Carver, daughter of E. B. Carver of Fort Worth and Wichita Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell make their home at the McVea Apartments, and have one child, Robert F. Campbell, Jr. Mr. Campbell is a member of the River Oaks Country Club, the Houston Club, and is a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge, Temple, No. 4.

RANK J. BREAKER, of Houston, Texas began his career in the business world with the Harris County Abstract Company and with the exception of the time spent in the World War, has been associated with this com- pany since that time. Mr. Breaker is manager of the Harris County Abstract Company and secre- tary of the American Title Guaranty Company, Inc., and in these capacities represents two of the most progressive business institutions of Houston. The Harris County Abstract Company was founded in 1885 by Mr. Breaker's father, Mr. George H. Break- er, who is now the president of this institution, and L. F. Fox is vice president and treasurer. The American Title Guaranty Company, Inc., started business here in 1916 and these two firms employ twenty-five people, many of whom are experts in their particular lines. The abstract work is con- fined to Harris County but the title work extends to all portions of the Coast country and has built up a large business in this line of work, which is largely due to the accuracy and efficiency of this company. The offices of both companies are located on the third floor of the Union National Bank Building. After finishing his education, Mr. Breaker returned to Houston and entered the abstract business of his father in 1911 and worked in every branch of the business in order to become familiar with its every phase. He continued with this firm until he enlisted in the World War in July, 1917, and was assigned to the 111th Field Signal Corps of the 36th Division and received his training at Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas. He went to France with this division and remained with it throughout his activity in France, returned with the same division and was dis- charged on June 19th, 1919, when he immediately came back with the Harris County Abstract Com- pany and in 1920 was made manager of same and has continued in this capacity.

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 37

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