New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 40

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

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1324

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

sued a literary course and later became a student of the law department and graduated from this insti- tution in the class of 1906 with the L. L. B. degree, after which he immediately established his office at Beaumont and began the practice of his chosen profession, and has met with unusual success.

Mr. Calhoun was married at Waco, Texas, on De- cember 8th, 1910, to Miss Ladie Pearl Olive, a na- tive of Hardin County, Texas, and a daughter of Sidney Olive, well known in the business circles of East Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun reside at 1880 Broadway. Mr. Calhoun is popular in the business and social circles of Beaumont, and throughout the state. As a leader in one of the most honorable pro- fessions of men, and as a champion of every worthy civic move, Mr. Calhoun is regarded as one of the foremost citizens of Beaumont and has a sure place among the leaders of his state.

DWARD TILGHMAN CHEW, attorney at law of Houston, has practiced his profes- sion in Texas for more than a quarter of a century and is well known at the bar of this state. Mr. Chew is engaged in a general civil practice of law, with offices in the Kress Building, and has occupied offices in this building since it was constructed. He began the practice of his profes- sion in the year 1899 with his father, F. F. Chew, under the firm name of F. F. and E. T. Chew, and this partnership continued until his father's death in 1907, since which time he has practiced alone. Mr. Chew has a large practice and is regarded as an ex- ecutive in addition to being a successful lawyer.

A native Houstonian, Mr. Chew was born on Sep- tember 3rd, 1876. His father, F. F. Chew (deceased since May 6th, 1907) was a native of Mississippi and a graduate of the university of that state, class of 1858, and a member of the Delta Psi fraternity. He came to Texas with his brother, John C. Chew, in 1859 and settled on the Brazos River, where they owned a large plantation. Mr. Chew continued to reside on and operate this plantation until the out- break of the Civil War, in which he was a partici- pant. After the close of the war, he came to Hous- ton and was one of Houston's first newspaper men and was a writer of note. He was connected with the old Houston Telegraph and was a writer on this early day paper and later became assistant editor and the circulation of this paper was largely due to his work. He later began the practice of law and for many years was one of the most prominent law- yers of this part of the state. In addition to being one of Houston's foremost attorneys, he was one of the builders of this city and was at all times at the head of all civic moves, and much of the work which has been carried out in Houston along the lines of civic improvement was started by Mr. Chew. He was closely identified with the social and com- mercial life of the city also and exerted an influ- ence for good throughout a wide range of the city's activities. The mother of E. T. Chew was Miss Julia A. Fuller and was born in Houston in the old Fuller homestead at the corner of Smith and Preston. Her father, Nathan Fuller, came to Houston in 1843, and was the third mayor of this city. He was also a pioneer in the business and civic life of the city and was prominently identified with Houston's early growth and advancement. Mr. E. T. Chew's early education was obtained in the various schools of

Houston, after which he entered the law depart- ment of the University of Texas and graduated from that institution in 1899 with the L. L. B. degree, when he immediately joined his father in the prac- tice of law in this city, where he has since remained.

Mr. Chew was married on August 10th, 1911, to Miss Bessie Atkeison, a native of Conway, Arkansas, but who was reared and educated in Missouri and is a graduate of Central College of Lexington, Mis- souri. Mr. and Mrs. Chew reside at 424 Hathaway Avenue. Mr. Chew is a member of the River Oaks Country Club and other social organizations of the city and of the college fraternity, Sigma Alpha Ep- silon. Among the practitioners of civil law, Mr. Chew is one of the ablest in the Houston bar.

OHN B. YORK, one of the highly esteemed attorneys of Houston, has had a wide and varied experience during his years of prac- tice here, and is well versed in both civil and criminal procedure. Mr. York is head of the law firm of York and Neeld, a firm handling a general civil and criminal practice, and one which has made a splendid record since its establishment in 1922. The firm of York and Neeld is composed of John B. York, the subject of this sketch, and H. H. Neeld, and has offices in the Kress Building. Mr. York has engaged in practice at Houston since his admission to the Bar in 1908, and the recognition accorded him by his contemporaries and clients alike is only in keeping with his demonstrated ability as an attorney.

John B. York was born at Giddings, Lee County, Texas, the third of October, 1884, the son of Milton G. York, a native of East Texas, who came to Texas as a young man and was a farmer in Lee County for many years, and Matilda Ann (Heck) York, a na- tive of Texas. Mr. York attended the public schools at Giddings, later entering the University of Texas, in the law department, and taking the LL.B. Degree in 1908. After taking his degree and being admitted to the Bar Mr. York came direct to Houston, be- ginning his practice alone. A year later, in 1909, he formed an association with T. W. Menefee, the resulting firm being known as Menefee and York. This firm continued three years, at which time Mr. Kinard came with the firm and the name was changed to Kinard, Menefee and York, continuing until Mr. Kinard's death two years later, when it again became Menefee and York. Three years later this partnership was dissolved and Mr. York formed an association with Mr. VanVelzer which lasted until Mr. VanVelzer removed to California, when he formed the present firm of York and Neeld. Mr. York is a director of the Universal Land Company, a director of the Mutual Construction Company, a director of the Peoples Home Investment Company, and a director of the Central State Bank. He form- erly served for eight years as City Attorney of Magnolia Park, a suburb of Houston, and at pres- ent a trustee of the Harrisburg Independent School District.

Mr. York was married at Houston the first of August, 1912, to Miss Katie Hall, a native of East Texas. They reside at 6917 Avenue "C" and have two children, Kathryn, and Marion Adele. Mr. York is a Mason, Blue Lodge, a Knight of Pythias, and a Dokey, and is a thoroughly public spirited citizen, interested in the growth of Houston.

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MEN OF TEXAS

UDGE ROBERT HAMILTON WARD of Houston, Texas, for half a century has been an active member of the legal fraternity of Texas, and is well known in the bench and bar circles of this state, with offices in the Key- stone Building, is engaged in a general civil practice. Judge Ward was formerly general attorney for the Kirby Petroleum Company of this city, and occupied that position since the organization of this company. In 1921, at the time the Kirby Petroleum Company was organized, it took over the Bass Petroleum Com- pany, of which Judge Ward was general attorney with offices in Wichita Falls, Texas, and had been located in this North Texas city since 1919. In 1922, the offices of the Kirby Petroleum Company were moved to Houston and are located in the Great Southern Life Building here. Mr. John H. Kirby, capitalist and one of the leading lumber men of the United States, is president of the company. Judge Ward read law in various law offices in Austin, Texas, and was admitted to the bar on February 4th, 1874, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Austin and continued there until 1900. He then removed to San Antonio, Texas, and prac- ticed law there until 1919, when he became general attorney for the Bass Petroleum Company and re- moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, the headquarters of this oil company. While Judge Ward was engaged in the practice of law at Austin and San Antonio, Texas, he was identified with many of the most im- portant cases which came before the courts there. He had as partners in these cities some of the most able lawyers of the Lone Star State, who with Judge Ward became well known as the strongest law firms of the Southwest, Judge Ward has occupied many positions of honor and trust at the hands of his fellowmen, and was a member of the 24th and 25th Texas Legislatures from Travis County, and was for a time first assistant attorney general under Attor- ney General Tom Smith in Governor Sayers' admin- istration. Judge Ward was district judge at San Antonio of the 73th Judicial Court for some time, and his decisions are known as just and true at all times, while serving in the bench of this high court. Judge Ward was special counsel for the state of Texas in the celebrated boundary suit between Okla- homa and Texas in the Supreme Court of the United States.

Judge Ward was born at Warrenton, Virginia, on December 27th, 1852. His father, Dr. John Ward, was one of the pioneer physicians of his day and was a surgeon in the United States Navy until the outbreak of the Civil War when he became a naval surgeon of the Confederacy. He continued in this capacity until the Confederate Navy was blown up and he then went into the Army branch of the serv- ice where he served until the close of the war. A native of Virginia, Dr. Ward returned to his native state after the close of the war and remained there until his death. His mother, Mrs. Mary Grace Dal- ton (Hamilton) Ward, was a native of Maryland and a member of a prominent family of that state. Judge Ward's early education was obtained in the schools of Warrenton, Virginia, and after the close of the Civil War he came to Austin, Texas, where he had relatives residing, and as a very young man began to study law. Judge Ward was in Texas during the days of rehabilitation following the Civil War, and remembers the regime of Texas' carpet-bagger gov-

ernor and many incidents which happened during this period which have never been recorded in history.

Judge Ward has been three times married. His first marriage was at Austin, Texas, to Miss Annie de Cordova, a native of the capital city and a mem- ber of a pioneer Texas family. Of this union, four children were born: Louise, now the wife of L. P. Clarkson of Houston; Grace Hamilton, now the wife of Lee Ransom of San Antonio; Addie, the wife of Shelby P. Robbins of Lubbock, Texas, and Robert Hamilton Ward Jr. of San Francisco, California. His second marriage was in Austin to Mrs. Eva de Normandy, granddaughter of John M. Swisher, a San Jacinto veteran. Judge Ward was married the third time to Mrs. Ammie Ruth Jameson, widow of Joe Lee Jameson and he has two stepsons, M. R. Jameson, a lieutenant in the United States Navy, and House Baker Jameson, an actor residing in New York. Judge Ward is a member of the Hous- ton Club and the various bar associations, in which he takes an active interest. Judge and Mrs. Ward reside at 1419 Hawthorne Street, Houston. In a career dedicated to the law, Judge Ward has at- tained a dignity and reputation that easily rank him with the able men of the bar and bench of Texas.

UDGE BENJAMIN F. WILSON, judge of the County Court at Law, No. 1, Harris County, since his election to office has en- tered upon his duties with enthusiasm, and it is already evident that he possesses those qualities that go to make a fair and careful judge. Coming to Houston in 1915, shortly after his admission to the bar, he engaged in the general practice of civil law, and is well known throughout the state. He is deep- ly interested in association work, and served as Sec- retary of the Texas Bar Association for several years.

Benjamin F. Wilson was born at Walnut Springs, Texas, the twelfth of March, 1891. His father, Ben- jamin F. Wilson, a native of Alabama, came to Texas as a boy of fifteen years. He was a railroad man for many years, having been connected with the Gulf Coast Lines for a long time prior to his death. His mother, also a native of Alabama, now resides at Houston. Mr. Wilson attended the public schools of Houston, graduating from the high school here, after which he entered the University of Texas and after two years academic work entered the law de- partment of the University of Texas. Later he went to Virginia, but did not finish there, returning to Texas in 1915, and taking the bar examination at San Antonio, Texas, and being admitted to the bar there. Mr. Wilson then came to Houston, beginning his practice here, making a splendid professional record.

Judge Wilson was married at Houston, the elev- enth of August, 1921, to Miss Frances Hulen, sister of General John A. Hulen, who served in the World War as a general, and who is now the receiver for the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railroad. Judge and Mrs. Wilson reside at 1313 West Alabama Avenue, and have one child, Frances Wilson. Judge Wilson is a member of the various bar associations, and is a Mason, Holland Blue Lodge, No. 1, Washington Chapter, Ruthven Commandery, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine. Judge Wilson's career has attracted much favorable comment from his con- freres.

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R.A. Ward

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

OHN T. GARRISON, whose name represents one of the most prominent attorneys in the Southeast Texas bar, in the three decades of his practice in Texas has advanced to a position among the foremost legists of the state, and at Houston, where he has engaged in practice for around two decades, he is held in high esteem for his masterly handling of corporation problems and his eloquence as a trial lawyer. Mr. Garrison is head of the law firm of Garrison and Watson, of which firm Senator Q. U. Watson, who concentrates his attention to legislative problems, is a member. In addition to Mr. Garrison and Senator Watson, three younger attorneys, R. L. Atterbury, C. E. Cool- idge and M. Satterwhite, are associated with the firm, which occupies offices in the State National Bank Building. Mr. Garrison gives special attention to corporation practice, and is retained as counsel by many of the larger corporations at Houston. He is division attorney for the Southern Pacific Rail- road, looking after all legal work for this road. Mr. Garrison is equally able as a trial lawyer, his na- tural eloquence, his ability as a lawyer, his poise, and his ready perception of the fundamental facts of a case winning the admiration and respect of the bench and bar, as well as his clients.

John T. Garrison was born at Macon, Georgia, the first of March, 1866. His father, T. S. Garrison, a native of Georgia, came to Texas in 1868, and was a banker, merchant and farmer of East Texas until his death. As a boy Mr. Garrison had few oppor- tunities to attend school, for in that day few pub- lic schools had been established in East Texas, and he was largely self educated. Later he entered the law department of Vanderbilt University, and after one year there entered the University of Texas, where, in one year's residence, he took the LL. B. de- gree in 1891, and the following year began the prac- tice of law in Shelby County, Texas. After three years in Shelby County, Mr. Garrison went to Nacog- doches County, as offering broader opportunities, and was for fourteen years one of the leading attor- neys there. Mr. Garrison came to Houston in 1908 and became associated with the law firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood, as representative for the Southern Pacific Railroad, holding the position of division attorney. After a number of years with Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood, Mr. Garrison left that firm, going with the firm of McMeans, later Garrison and Pollard, later becoming Garrison, Pol- ard, Morris and Berry, and still later coming with his present firm, Garrison and Watson, as head of the firm.

Mr. Garrison was married in Shelby County, Texas, in 1892, to Miss Minter Hicks, a native of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Garrison reside in Houston, at 300 Webster Avenue, and have two children, Jessie, wife of Dr. C. P. Harris, one of the leading physi- cians of Houston, and Pauline, wife of Ralph Feagan, an attorney, associated with the firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood, at Houston, and one of the most promising younger attorneys of the city. Mr. Garrison is a Mason, Blue Lodge and Chapter. Mr. Garrison's standing as a lawyer is in just pro- portion to his ability and his years of practice, and many tributes have been paid to his ability and fine character by his friends and associates at Houston.

LYDE A. SWEETON, Attorney at Law, al- though a comparatively recent addition to the legal fraternity of Houston, Texas, prior to locating here in 1924, had prac- ticed his profession for more than a quarter of a century, and his reputation as a lawyer had pre- ceded him to this city. Mr. Sweeton is a member of the law firm of Vinson, Elkins, Sweeton and Weems, and is composed of William A. Vinson, James A. Elkins, Clyde A. Sweeton and Wharton Weems, and is one of the strongest law firms of Houston. Mr. Sweeton handles the legal work of the oil branch of the firm, and is known as an authority on law as it pertains to oil in its various branches. The well-appointed offices of Vinson, Elkins, Sweet- on and Weems, are located on the second floor of the Gulf Building. After finishing his academic course in college, Mr. Sweeton was employed at Sulphur Springs, Texas, and while working, studied law in several of the law offices there, and was admitted to the Bar in 1899. He then established his office at Sulphur Springs and began the prac- tice of his profession, where he met with success and continued his practice until 1913, when he was appointed to the position of Assistant Attorney General under Ben F. Looney, and served in this important position from January, 1913, to April 10th, 1917, when he resigned in order to enter the private practice of law again. He went to Green- ville, Texas, and with L. A. Clark, well-known North Texas attorney, formed a partnership un- der the name of Clark and Sweeton, and this part- nership continued until Mr. Sweeton came to Hous- ton and became associated with the present firm of well-known South Texas lawyers.

Mr. Sweeton was born in Rhea County, Tennessee, on December 7th, 1876. His father, J. M. Sweeton, also a native of Tennessee, and a well known min- ister, came to Texas over two-score years ago, and is now a resident of Wichita Falls, Texas, and is a superannuated member of the North Texas Con- ference. Before retiring he served as Presiding Elder and preacher, in charge of a number of sta- tions of the North Texas Conference. His mother was Miss Cordelia Locke, a member of a well- known Tennessee family. Mr. Sweeton's early edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Hunt County, after which he became a student of the Southwestern University at Georgetown, where he pursued a straight academic course, where he grad- uated with a B. S. degree in the class of 1898.

Mr. Sweeton was married at Sulphur Springs, Texas, on June 11th, 1899, to Miss Rowena East- man, a native of Arkansas, and a member of a prominent family of that State. They have one daughter-Evorine, who is now a graduate of Ward- Belmont Seminary, and a student of the University of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeton reside in Hous- ton. Mr. Sweeton is a member of the A. F. and A. M., with membership in the Blue Lodge of Sul- phur Springs, where he is also a member of the Chapter, and is a Knight Templar of the Com- mandry at Greenville, Texas. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World, in both of which he takes an active inter- est. He is also a member of the Houston Club, Lions Club and the Methodist Church.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

B. COLGIN, Attorney at Law, has for a score of years practiced his profession be- fore the Houston bar. Mr. Colgin is a mem- ber of the well known law firm of Bryan, Dyess & Colgin, with office at 809 Second National Bank Building, and are engaged in a general civil practice. Mr. Colgin has had unusual success with personal injury and land cases. He also does a general office and court work, and being an able speaker and excellent court room lawyer, he has met with success in the various cases he has tried, and enjoys the confidence of a substantial clientele. The firm of Bryan, Dyess & Colgin represent some of the large corporations of Houston and South Tex- as and many of the leading citizens of this portion of the State.

Mr. Colgin was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, September 9th, 1879. His father, George T. Colgin (deceased) was a native of Virginia, and a mem- ber of an old family of that State. After remov- ing to Louisiana, he was engaged in farming on a large scale. His mother was Miss Celina Mary Segura, a native of Louisiana. His early educa- tion was obtained in New Iberia, Louisiana, under a private tutor, he later attended Spring Hill Col- lege, and graduated from that institution with the degrees of A. B. and A. M., and received the high- est honors in the class in which he graduated. He then became a student of Georgetown University, and graduated from this college with the degrees of A. M. and L. L. B., and delivered the oration when the A. M. degree was conferred from this institu- tion. Mr. Colgin was admitted to the bar in 1902 and in 1903 began the practice of his profession alone, but after a short time he became associated with Charles Guynes in February, 1903, and this association continued until January, 1922, when he became a member of the firm of Bryan, Dyess & Colgin.

Mr. Colgin was married in Galveston, October 25th, 1921, to Miss Lillian Calevoix, a daughter of N. L. Calevoix, a well known citizen of Missouri, who is now deceased. They have one son-Edmund Randolph Colgin. Mr. Colgin is a member of the Texas Bar Association, the Harris County Bar As- sociation, and the Knights of Columbus. He is a consistent member of the Catholic Church, with membership in the Annunciation Church of Hous- ton. Mr. Colgin has been a successful lawyer and has very few of his cases reversed on appeal. He has never ceased to be a student of law, and is a leader among the younger men of this generation.

C. WOOD, during the decade of his resi- dence at Houston, has attained a commend- able reputation as an attorney at law, and has won recognition as one of the leading corporation and insurance lawyers in Southeast Texas. Mr. Wood has practiced alone since 1924, at which time he severed his connection with the firm of Vinson, Elkins, Wood and Sweeton, with whom he had been associated since 1918. Mr. Wood is particularly able as a trial lawyer, his eloquent platform manner, his masterly presentation of facts, and his ability to gain an insight into a problem on proper presentation of fact, as well as his knowl- edge of law and procedure winning the admiration and respect of the bench and bar of the State of Texas. Mr. Wood gives special attention to insur-

ance practice and to negligence cases, and has come to be considered an authority in these fields, as well as in the general practice of law. He occupies a well appointed suite of offices in the State National Bank Building.

A. C. Wood was born at Huntsville, Texas, on the fourth of October, 1884. His father, J. E. Wood, a native of Alabama, came to Texas as a young man, locating near Huntsville, and is one of the substan- tial citizens in that section. His mother, whose maiden name was Miss Anne Cox, is a native of the Lone Star State, and a member of one of the old Texas families who for many years have been prom- inent in and around Huntsville. Mr. Wood received his early instruction in the schools of Huntsville, attending the public schools there through high school. He then entered Sam Houston Normal, at Huntsville, graduating there in 1905 with honors. Mr. Wood then matriculated at the University of Texas, in the law department, where he took his degree and was admitted to the bar in 1909. He re- turned to his home in Huntsville, beginning his practice there, and one year later went to Fort Worth, where he became associated with the firm of Spoonts, Thompson and Barwise, one of the most prominent law firms of that city. He remained at Fort Worth and with that firm until 1916, when he came to Houston and was with the law firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood until 1918, at which time he went with Vinson, Elkins and Wood as junior member of the firm.

Mr. Wood was married at Huntsville, Texas, in 1913, to Miss Jessie Felder, a native of Texas and a member of one of the pioneer families of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have an attractive home at 1620 South Boulevard, and have one child, Mildred. Mr. Wood supports the Baptist denomination in religious belief, belonging to the Baptist Church at Houston. He is a member of the Houston Club, the River Oaks Country Club and the Harris County Bar Associa- tion, and is regarded as not only one of the most brilliant of the younger lawyers, but as one whose career offers unusual promise.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 40

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