New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 43

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

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with his present recogniiton taken as an index of the future, he may well be expected, within the next few years to be one of the best known personal in- jury and damage defense lawyers in the State.

F. TOWNSEND for nearly a decade was associated with the technical and executive management of public utilities at Beau- mont, Texas, and his help in the solution of electric lighting, power and traction problems was largely responsible for civic growth and the exten- sion of electric service and electric lines through- the city. During this period he served as manager of the Eastern Texas Electric Company, one of the Stone & Webster group of properties. The Eastern Texas Electric Company is a smooth functioning organization, which has won the good will of the public and employes alike. Mr. Town- send gave much consideration to the fostering of better public relations, and his program for creat- ing good will has been far reaching in effect. Under his management many improvements and ex- tensions were made. Mr. Townsend left Beaumont to become operating vice president of the Western United Gas and Electric Company, Aurora, Elgin and Fox River Electric Company, Coal Products Manufacturing Company and the Southern Illinois Gas Company of Aurora, Illinois.

Mr. Townsend was born at Auburn, Maine, the twenty-seventh of March, 1874, the son of Roscoe G. Townsend, for many years a painting contractor of that State, and now living at the advanced age of ninety-one years, and Harriet F. Townsend. He attended the public schools of Auburn, graduating from the Auburn High School, after which he took special courses at the Portland, Maine, Business College. Immediately after leaving school he en- tered the office of a large shoe manufacturer, and spent about three or four years there. He then went with the Lewiston and Auburn Electric Light and Power Company of Auburn, Maine, and applying himself with diligence to the affairs of that utility was soon advanced to manager, directing the com- pany in a capable and efficient way, and winning a reputation in the field of public utilities. In 1900 Mr. Townsend resigned as manager of the Lewis- ton and Auburn Electric Light and Power Company of Auburn, to accept a position with Stone & Web- ster, and has been with this large corporation since that time, winning recognition as one of the out- standing men in electric power and railway field. In 1916 he came to Beaumont to assume the manage- ment of the Eastern Texas Electric Company, a Stone & Webster Company and had charge of the general management of this company until his re- moval to Aurora, Illinois.

Mr. Townsend was married at Auburn, Maine, in 1901 to Miss Eva Winnifred Hodgkins, daughter of Ansel A. Hodgkins, and Lydia Hodgkins, both of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have one child, Pauline. During his residence in Beaumont he was a member of the Beaumont Country, St. Marks, the Rotary, the Tarpon, the Neches and the Port Arthur Country clubs, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Birney Club of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Townsend was president of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce one year and a vice president several years; he was also a member of the South- western Public Service Association and a vice presi- dent one year. He served as president of the New

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England section of the National Electric Light Association. Mr. Townsend is a man of definite at- tainments in his field, and is one of the best known utility man in the country, and a dominating figure in the various utility associations. His work in Beaumont was of vital importance to the growth of the city, and his leaving this community was a dis- tinct loss to the city.

UDGE WM. G. LOVE, well known member of the Houston bar, has a state-wide repu- tation as a fearless and able pleader. His offices are located in the State National Bank Building. He represents various large inter- ests, both corporate and individual, and frequently he is called upon to carry on important litigation in the court of the state.

In February, 1926, upon the death of Judge C. W. Robinson, Mr. Love was appointed judge of the Criminal District Court.

Judge Love has been a resident of Houston since 1893, coming here at that time from Luling, Cald- well County. For several years he was senior mem- ber of the firm of Love and Channell, and later with Love and Fouts, and still later Love, Wagner and Wagner, with whom he was associated for sev- eral years and until opening offices in the State National Bank Building.

Judge Love is a native of Texas and was born in Dallas County on a farm which covered a part of what is now known as Oak Cliff, on January 17th, 1869. He is a son of W. E. Love, native of South Carolina, who came to Texas in 1868 and settled on the west side of Trinity River near Dallas and served throughout the war as a soldier in the Confederate Army. His mother was formerly Miss Hulda Gras- ton, a native of Tennessee.

Judge Love received his preliminary education in the public schools of Bell County and later he attended Salado College, preparing for admission to the University of Texas. Entering the law de- partment of the university he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws with the class of 1889 and received his license to practice law. Judge Love, following his graduation, located in Luling, Texas, where he practiced from 1889 until 1893 when he removed to Houston.

In 1908 he was appointed by Governor Thos. M. Campbell to be district attorney of Galveston and Harris Counties and was elected to the position two years later, retiring voluntarily in 1912 after four years that were marked by some of the most suc- cessful prosecutions ever conducted in South Texas. It was during his incumbency as district attorney that Judge Love established a state-wide reputation as an orator. He prosecuted many bitterly fought criminal cases and came to be feared and dreaded by the criminal element of this section.

Judge Love served for some time as mayor of Houston Heights, when this portion of the City of Houston was a separate municipality and was also president of the school board there for twelve years. He has always taken a great interest in educational. matters and has served the State of Texas with dis- tinction as a member of the Board of Regents of the State University.

On May 30th, 1901, Judge Love was married at Austin to Miss Lillie Webb, a native of Flatonia, Texas, and a daughter of Dr. W. T. Webb, well known physician and member of an old family of Mobile,

Alabama, who came to Flatonia in 1874. They have two children, a son, Hamilton, and a daughter, Marion.

Judge Love is an active member of the American and State and County Bar Associations, the Hous- ton Club and University Club and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He believes that Houston has passed the experimental stage and will have a rapid, permanent and substantial growth.

UDGE W. RAY SCRUGGS came to Hous- ton, Texas, in 1919, and was associated with the law firm of Campbell, Myer, Myer and Freeman until his appointment to the position of assistant city attorney. In 1924 he was elected judge of County Court at Law No. 2, and since January 1st, 1925, has served in this capacity. His indefatigable and good work in the interest of the City of Houston during his incumbency of the position of assistant city attorney won him recog- nition at the polls and his election to his present judgeship. His fair treatment of matters coming before him has made him popular with the public as well as with the bar.

A native Texan, Judge Scruggs was born at Taylor on March 15th, 1895. His father, E. T. Scruggs (deceased), was also a native of the Lone Star State and was throughout his life engaged in the cattle business and was well known throughout the state. His mother was prior to her marriage, Miss Lou Ella Allcorn, a native Texan also, and a member of a pioneer family. She is now residing at Houston. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Taylor, Texas, after which he entered the law department of the University of Texas. After his admission to the bar in 1917, he practiced his profession for a short while in Austin, Texas, but gave up his practice which he had rapidly establish- ed, in order to enter the World War. Judge Scruggs entered the army on June 10th, 1917, and was a machine gun instructor at the Aviation Ground School at Austin for some time, after which he en- tered the Central Officer's Training School at Camp Hancock and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He remained at Camp Hancock instructor throughout the period of the World War, and was discharged there on December 20th, 1918. Following his discharge, Judge Scruggs returned to Texas and established his home and office at Thorndale, and began the practice of law there, and where he re- mained until the later part of 1919 when he came to Houston.

Judge Scruggs has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Mattie Rena Jarmon in 1915 at Austin, Texas, who later died, leaving a daughter, Mattie Rena Scruggs. He was married the second time at Houston, Texas, on June 7th, 1920, to Miss Esther Spahn, a member of a well known South Texas family. They have two children: W. Ray Scruggs, Jr., and Dorothy Margarette. Judge and Mrs. Scruggs reside in Glendower Court. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. with membership in Holland Lodge No. 1 of Houston. He is also a member of the B. P. O. E., with membership in Houston Lodge No. 151. He is a member of the American Legion, the Christian Church, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Houston Lawyer's, Glenbrook Country and University Clubs, American Bar and the Texas Bar and Harris County Bar associations.

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AL B. STONEHAM, attorney at law, Nav- asota, Texas, came to this city in 1914, where he engaged in a general practice of law, and has become one of the leading lawyers of this portion of the state. After locating here, his business integrity, his broad views and grasp of public affairs gradually became known to the public and he was elected to the office of county attorney, and he served with distinction in this office for four years. He was then elected to the office of mayor, and in serving the people of Nava- sota as their chief executive, his administration has been one of great accomplishment. During his regime in this office the city has made great strides forward, and it is his desire to see Navasota become a real city, and with this end in view, he is a con- stant worker for the progress and advancement of his city. In addition to looking after the affairs of the city, and attending to his law practice, he is engaged in farming, and owns in fee a splendid farm containing almost one thousand acres of fertile land in Grimes County. Mr. Stoneham was admitted to the bar in 1904, when he established his home and office at Somerville, Texas, and began the prac- tice of his profession. He later removed to Stone- ham, where he practiced law until he came to Nava- sota in 1914. During the World War, Mr. Stone- ham was very active in all matters pertaining to the assistance that might be rendered his government, and in addition to being a member of the Army Exemption Board here, he was chairman of the Victory Liberty Loan drives and many other activ- ities.

A native Texan, Mr. Stoneham was born at Stone- ham, a town in Grimes County which was named for his forbears, who were pioneers of this portion of the state, on September 1st, 1882. His father, John O. Stoneham, was for many years a leading merchant of Grimes County and was one of the largest planters of this part of Texas. His mother was Miss Maggie Haynie, a member of a well known Texas family. Mr. Stoneham has had unusual edu- cational advantages, and his education was begun at a private institution at Greenwood, Virginia, and later he became a student of the Coronal Institute of San Marcos, Texas. He then attended the South- western University of Georgetown, Texas, and then became a student of law at the University of Vir- ginia, and still later in order to fit himself for the business world took a full business course. He has been active in the practice of law for seventeen years and during this period has established an enviable record and has been identified with many of the most prominent cases which have come before the courts of Central Texas.

Mr. Stoneham was married at Sealy, Texas, in 1905, to Miss Emma Ludwig, a native Texan and a daughter of Antone Ludwig, for many years civil engineer of Austin County. They have three chil- dren-Ruth Margaret, Elliott Everett and Hal B. Stoneham, Jr. Mr. Stoneham is a member of the York Rite body of the Masonic fraternity and is a member of Arabia Temple Shrine of Houston. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the I. O. O. F., in both of which he takes an active interest. He is a member of the Navasota Chamber of Commerce and is a director in this organization. He holds membership in the Kiwanis Club, and the Navasota Country Club and all other social and civic

organizations of this city. He is a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Church and is a member of the board of stewards of this denomination here. Mr. Stoneham is regarded as one of the leaders in every move for the good of his city and community, and is one of the most progressive citizens of Nava- sota and Grimes County, ever ready to give his time and assistance to any project of a public nature.

AMES TROTTER SWANSON of Navasota, Texas, is well known in the commercial life of Texas, having prior to locating here, been for many years a traveling salesman, selling tobacco throughout the state. Mr. Swanson is president of the Swanson Grocery Company, Inc., wholesale groceries, which he organized in 1905, and this Company has been doing a splendid business since its organization. The Swanson Grocery Com- pany is owned and operated by local men; Mr. Swanson being the largest stockholder in same. This company occupies a commodious building and carry a large and complete stock of groceries, both staple and fancy. Three men are employed in traveling for this firm, and cover five of the princi- pal counties of Texas. Other officers of the Swanson Grocery Company are: E. D. Blackshear, vice presi- dent, and G. S. Wilkerson, secretary and treasurer. In addition to his interest in this large grocery es- tablishment, Mr. Swanson is interested in farm- ing and cattle and hog raising and is an advocate of improving the cattle and also the methods of farming. He owns a farm, and has registered Jersey and Hereford cattle. He was one of the first men of Grimes County to introduce thoroughbred stock for breeding purposes. He is one of the recognized leaders in the state as a breeder of the big bone Poland-China hogs. He only purchases and keeps on his farm the finest stock that may be obtained. For more than five years he has had direct blood from the world's champions, and in 1913 purchased a young boar which has as its sire the world's champion. Mr. Swanson has done much to en- courage better stock in Grimes County, and has set an example for the farmers of this county, also in intensive farming methods, and has aided greatly in development work of all kinds here. He has at all times been active in eduactional work, and is a member of the school board of Navasota and is the purchasing agent for same. For years he was alderman of the city, and is still keenly interested in his city government and improvement. Mr. Swan- son started his career in the business life of Tex- as in 1894, when he came to the Lone Star State and sold tobacco throughout this territory. He later be- came associated with the Guest Heye Company, wholesale grocers of Galveston, and traveled on the road for this firm until he organized the Swanson Grocery Company here, and has made Navasota his permanent home since that time. Mr. Swanson has identified himself with every project for the good of his community, and is president of the Grimes County Good Roads Association and is active in this organization, and never loses an op- portunity to talk good roads, for without them the county is in the background, and will so remain. He is vice president of the Navasota Chamber of Com- merce and is an ardent worker in this organization. In an effort to get the citizens of Grimes County more interested in dairy stock and dairy products, he was one of the leaders in the organization of the

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Navasota Dairy Products Company and is the president of this company, which has been a com- plete success for the organization and for the far- mers. Mr. Swanson is secretary-treasurer of the Navasota Oil Company, and is connected with many of the city's business institutions.

A native of Virginia, Mr. Swanson was born at Swansonville, a town named for his forbears, in January, 1869. His father, J. W. C. Swanson, was a large land owner and farmer of Virginia. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native state.

Mr. Swanson was married to Miss Edna Zuber, a native Texan and the third generation of the famous Battle of San Jacinto blood. Her grandfather, Capt. W. P. Zuber, is the last survivor of this bloody battle of Texas history, made famous by the great fight by the noble Texans against the Mexicans, who greatly outnumbered them, and is only second to the great bravery of the historic Battle of the Alamo in Texas history. Her father, Dan C. Zuber, de- ceased, was a resident of Bryan, Texas, where he is a pioneer settler of Brozos County and has always been prominent in this county's welfare, but was born and raised in Grimes County. They have four children, J. T. Swanson, Jr., John Daniel, J. C. and Edna. Mr. Swanson is president of the Kiwanis Club of Navasota, and holds membership in all the civic and social organizations of this city. He is a staunch and consistent member of the Methodist Church, and is vice president of the board of stew- ards of this church and is prominent in all church work. Mr. Swanson is one of the boosters of Nava- sota and Grimes County and never loses an oppor- tunity to speak a good word for his town and county, where he is known as one of its builders and develop- ers, ever ready to give his time and assistance to any movement of a public nature.

VERARD HAMILTON TERRELL, of Nava- sota, Texas, is one of the pioneer farmers and stock raisers of Grimes County, and is also one of the oldest and best known bank- ers and merchants of this portion of Texas. Mr. Terrell is the owner of one-half interest in the gen- eral mercantile store of E. H. Terrell and Company, which was established by A. P. Terrell more than thirty years ago, and has been since that time one of the leading stores in Grimes County. Mr. Terrell was born here and very early in life identified him- self with the commercial, civic, financial and edu- cational life of his city. He is president of the Schumacher Oil Works, the oldest and largest cot- ton oil mill in this part of the Lone Star State, and for years this institution has carried the largest pay roll of any industry employing common labor in Grimes or contiguous counties. He is vice presi- dent of the First National Bank of Navasota, and is well known in the banking circles of Texas as one of the most conservative and efficient men in this profession. He has always been an advocate of the highest standards of the banking business. Mr. Ter- rell is one of the largest farmers of Grimes County, and owns in fee many large farms near this city, which, in addition to the various cultivated farm crops, are stocked with improved cattle and hogs, and has for many years encouraged the farmers in raising better stock and giving the land better cul- tivation in order to obtain the maximum crops from the minimum acreage. Mr. Terrell also owns in fee

about four thousand acres of farminig land in Brazos County, and is the owner of a magnificent home in this city. He has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of his city, and during the aldermanic form of government, served for about ten years as alderman, and his ideas have been carried out in many ways in this city, which will ever be a monu- ment to his good judgment and civic pride while serving his city in the capacity of alderman. Mr. Terrell has spent the greater part of his life on the farm, and has always owned and operated farms and raised stock. He never loses an opportunity to tell the youth of his community of the free and natural life that may be led on the farm, and that instead of leaving the farming districts for the crowded cities, where the living conditions for the average wage earner are getting worse as the cities grow, to stay on the farm where they will at all times be sure of a home and plenty to eat. About thirty years ago, his brother, A. P. Terrell, started in the general mercantile business, and soon thereafter he purchased an interest with his brother, and this partnership continued until 1915, when A. P. Ter- rell died. He then purchased his brother's interest in the business and the firm is now known as E. H. Terrell and Company. This firm carries a large and complete stock valued at upward from seventy-five thousand dollars, and do an immense business, par- ticularly with the farmers, in farm supplies, imple- ments, etc. The greater portion of this business is conducted on a credit basis, the farmers paying in the fall, after the harvesting of all crops, but as a rule it is a safe and sound business project.

Mr. Terrell was born on October 7th, 1863. His father, William J. Terrell, was one of the early pioneers of this part of Texas, and was an extensive land owner and planter. William J. Terrell was well known throughout the state, where he was high- ly esteemed as a farmer and citizen. His educa- tion was obtained in the public schools of Grimes County.

Mr. Terrell has been an active worker and very prominent in the Masonic fraternity of Texas for many years. He is a member of both the York and Scottish Rite bodies of this order, and is a mem- ber of Arabia Temple Shrine of Houston. He has been honored by this fraternity, in that he has occu- pied almost every office within the gift of the A. F. and A. M. He has been past eminent commander, past high priest, past district deputy and past patron of the Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the I. O. O. F. Mr. Terrell has practically retired from actual business pursuits, but looks after his many interests in a general way, having managers for the detail work. Mr. Terrell has done much in the development and advancement of his county and city, and gives of his time and means to every project for the advancement and im- provement of his city and community. Being en- dowed with vigorous intellectual powers, lofty ideals of commercial and civic virtue, a personality ener- getic, strong, magnetic, gracious and commanding in its high sense of honor and probity, Mr. Terrell has throughout his years occupied a place of leader- ship in the business and civic life of his city on which, indelibly, he has impressed the seal of his usefulness. In the professions of merchandising and banking, Mr. Terrell is one of the city's ablest figures, and also a staunch, wise, resolute and con- structive citizen.

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OHN MANSON MATHIS, whose name for more than three decades has been of spe- cial significance in the legal fraternity of Texas, and who for several years past has been identified with the Houston bar, is one of the outstanding criminal lawyers of the state, his mas- terly handling of important criminal cases winning the admiration and respect of both bench and bar. Mr. Mathis was formerly the senior member of the firm of Mathis, Heidingsfelder, Teague, and Kahn, one of the strongest law firms in Texas, both in point of personnel and in point of practice. In 1925, Mr. Mathis retired from the firm and maintains splendidly equipped offices in the Post Building, the style of his firm now being Mathis, Teague, Hawkins and Mathis.

John Manson Mathis was born in Smith County, Texas, on September the eighth, 1869, the son of John S. Mathis, a native of Tennessee who came to Texas as a young man and was a prominent Metli- odist minister of this state for many years, and Mrs. Aurelia Jones Mathis. They encouraged Mr. Mathis in his ambition to secure an education, and he was sent to Henderson College, studying under Dr. O. H. Cooper, one of the prominent educators of that day, and later state superintendent of public instruction. From Henderson College, Mr. Mathis went to South- western University, after four years graduating with the B. A. degree in 1890. The following year, Mr. Mathis taught school in Cooke County, Texas, in the meantime reading law, and later, as secretary to Hon. R. T. Milner, speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives, continuing the study of law. After con- cluding the three months as Hon. R. T. Milner's sec- retary, Mr. Mathis returned to his home, his father at that time being a minister at Rusk, and con- tinued to read law with Sam A. Wilson, and his son, Priest Wilson, who later became chief justice of the Court of Civil Appeals, at Texarkana, Texas. In 1892, Mr. Mathis was admitted to the bar and began his practice at Rusk, beginning in that town the career which has since attracted wide notice and has made him one of the leading criminal lawyers of the state. After one year at Rusk, Mr. Mathis moved to Wichita Falls, where he practiced law for a year with his brothr, at the conclusion of this time re- moving to Brenham, where he became head of the law firm of Mathis, Buchanan and Raspberry, es- tablishing a law practice which he held for the ensuing twenty years. During this period Mr. Mathis matured in experience of court procedure and know- ledge of technicalities and precedent until he is able to match his wits against the finest legal talent of the state. In 1919 Mr. Mathis moved to Houston, becoming head of the law firm of Mathis, Heidings- felder, Teague and Kahn.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 43

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