New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 44

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

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Mr. Mathis was married at Georgetown, Texas, the fifth of November, 1891, to Miss Louise May- field. They live at 3509 Montrose Boulevard, one of the fashionable residence districts of Houston, and have two children, John Manson Mathis, Jr., and Louise Ozelle Mathis. Mr. Mathis is a member of the Park Place Country Club, the Houston Turn- verein, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Odd- fellows, the Cardinals, and the Maccabees. While in Brenham, he was active in educational work and was chairman of the school board for thirteen years. From the beginning of his career Mr. Mathis has been active in local and state politics, stumping the

state in the campaign for Senator Charles A. Cul- berson and for Governor James E. Ferguson, in the campaign in which he was elected. In 1912, he was national democratic elector from the Ninth Con- gressional District, and four years later was a delegates to the national Democratic convention which renominated the late President Woodrow Wil- son, at St. Louis, and in May, 1924, was elected dele- gate at large to the national Democratic conven- tion. At present Mr. Mathis is a member of the Democratic State Executive Committee from the Eighth Senatorial District. He was a member of the Texas Legislature from Washington County in 1918-1919, and has enjoyed many other evidences of the high esteem in which he is held by his many friends and associates throughout the state.

C. WINBORN has been prominently iden- tified with professional affairs at Houston for almost a decade, and has earned a rep- utation as a criminal and civil lawyer that has won the admiration of the bench and bar of Houston. Judge Winborn was admitted to the bar the first of July, 1916, and began his practice at Houston the first of January, 1917. Since that time he has demonstrated a professional ability which has placed him among the most able legists of Hous- ton, and has established a name for himself in both criminal and civil practice. During the first year of his career, Judge Winborn practiced alone, the fol- lowing year forming an associatiaon with W. H. Ward and T. J. Harris, and engaging in practice under the firm name of Ward-Harris & Winborn. This association lasted until the first of January, 1920, when Mr. Ward left the firm and it became known as Harris and Winborn. This association was dissolved on the appointment of Judge Winborn to the office of assistant city attorney, in February, 1923, which office he held until the first of February, 1924, when he resigned to resume private practice. Judge Winborn is now practicing alone, with offices in the Zindler Building. After the death of Judge J. H. Reeves, of the Corporation Court, March 1, 1925, he was appointed to this office and is the present incumbent.

A. C. Winborn was born at Louisville, Kentucky, the thirteenth of January, 1895, the son of B. F. Winborn, a native of that state, whose death oc- curred when the son, A. C. Winborn, was an infant, and Mary Johnson Winborn, also of Kentucky, and who came to Texas after her husband's death, her death occurring shortly after her arrival in this state. Judge Winborn was reared by L. D. Sherfy, a prominent railroad man of Houston. He attended the public schools of Houston, and after finishing school went with the Texas and New Orleans Rail- road, and while working for this road attended night law school, studying under the late John C. Townes. He was admitted to the bar in July, 1916, beginning his practice the first of the following year.

Judge Winborn was married at Houston the eighth of September, 1916, to Miss Myrtle Florence Lam- bert, a native of this city. They reside at 2408 Ely- sian Street, and have two children, Walter and Tom J. Winborn. He is a Knight of Pythias and a Dokey. His present recognition, in keeping with his proven ability in his profession, is considered by his associates as an index to what the future holds in store for him, and Judge Winborn is considered one of the coming attorneys of Houston.

1350

Russell F. Wetter

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

USSELL F. WOLTERS, junior member of the firm of Wolters, Blanchard, Woodul and Wolters, one of the strongest and best known law firms of Southeast Texas, al- though one of the younger attorneys of the Har- his County bar, is winning a name for himself and is a leader among the younger professional men of Houston. Russell F. Wolters was admitted to the bar in 1922, at which time he became junior mem- ber of his father's firm, then Wolters, Storey and Blanchard, with General J. F. Wolters, James L. Storey and Thomas B. Blanchard as members of the firm. This firm handles a large civil and crim- inal practice and has been connected with many of the prominent law cases of Texas. Russell F. Wol- ters, the junior member, and subject of this sketch has figured in some of the hardest fought criminal cases since his entrance into the firm, and his name is becoming known throughout the state. He has attracted attention also on account of his part in the gubernatorial race of 1924, when he spoke for Mrs. Miriam Ferguson in the campaign preceding the run-off, in which she defeated Judge Robert- son. Mr. Wolters has been a leader in the fight against the Ku Klux Klan, and his many brilliant speeches against this order and its candidates were a feature of the campaign.

Russell F. Wolters was born at La Grange, Texas, the sixteenth of January, 1897, son of General Jake F. Wolters, one of the most prominent and widely known lawyers of Texas. Russell F. Wolters re- ceived his elementary education in the Houston pub- lic and private schools, succeeded by a year in an eastern college. He entered the military service in 1917, at the time the United States entered the World War. He enlisted with Company E, Third Texas Infantry, as a private. Later he was trans- ferred to Company A of Third Texas Infantry, and did border service nearly a year under Commander Colonel George P. Rains. This Company G of the 143rd Infantry later became a company of the 36th Division. Mr. Wolters was transferred to General Hulen's staff and went overseas, serving with with that division all through the war, and until October, 1918, when he went to the hospital. He was then transferred to the Marines Transport Service and returned to the United States March 11th, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Bowie the twenty-seventh of March, 1919.

Returning to Houston, he became connected with the Chamber of Commerce, assisting in taking the census for a short time. He then entered the law department of the University of Texas, remaining there for two years until he was admitted to the bar in 1922. On returning to Houston, Mr. Wolters became a member of the law firm, Wolters, Storey, Blanchard and Battle, which was later changed to the name of Wolters, Blanchard, Woodul and Wol- ters. His career, promising to be one of unusual brilliance, is being watched with interest by older attorneys of the city, who predict for him a real future in his chosen vocation.

NOX W. GILMORE, Attorney at Law, of Houston, Texas, began the practice of his profession before the local bar in 1920 and has established a place of marked distinc- tion in the legal profession of this city. Mr. Gilmore is a member of the well known law firm of Johnson,

Adams, Gilmore and Perkins, and are engaged in a general practice of law, both criminal and civil, and are numbered among the strongest law firms of Houston. The personnel of this firm is W. M. John- son, Earle Adams, Jr., Knox W. Gilmore and Fred L. Perkins, with offices located on the sixth floor of the State National Bank Building. In 1920, the firm was composed of Messrs. Johnson and Gilmore, under the name of Johnson and Gilmore, and this name continued until May 15, 1924, when the pres- ent partnership was established. Mr. Gilmore re- ceived his degree from the law department of the University of Texas in 1914, when he established his office at Franklin, Texas, and began the practice of his profession with H. S. Morehead, well known Central Texas attorney, and continued his practice there until 1916, when he was elected to the office of District Attorney of that District, and served in that office with distinction, until 1920, when he came to Houston, and formed his first partnership with Mr. Johnson. Mr. Gilmore is specializing in the civil branch of law, but owing to his experience and the reputation he gained as District Attorney he is frequently called upon to handle major criminal cases. During his four years as District Attorney in Robertson County he obtained convictions in every case except three. Shortly after coming to Houston he was appointed Assistant District Attorney, but resigned after two months. A native Texan, Mr. Gilmore was born at Franklin, Robertson County, on April 15, 1887. His father, J. H. Gilmore, a native of Alabama, came to Texas in 1859 and settled in Robertson County, where he has since been engaged in the farming industry, and is a large land owner' of that county. He is now retired from active pusi- ness pursuits, but still looks after his farming inter- ests, and is active in the financial and political cir- cles of his State, where he is regarded as one of the most progressive citizens. His mother was Miss Julia A. Duncan, a native of Mississippi, but was brought to Robertson County, Texas, by her parents at an early age, and was reared and educated in this county. Mr. Gilmore's early education was obtained in the public schools of Robertson County, after which he became a student of the State Normal Col- lege at San Marcos. He then left college for four years, during which time he was engaged in teaching school; the first two years of which he taught in Robertson County, and the last two years spent as a teacher in Hall County, Texas. In 1911, Mr. Gil- more entered the law department of the University of Texas and graduated from that institution in the class of 1914 with the L. L. B. degree.

. Mr. Gilmore was married at Beaumont, Texas, on March 27, 1917, to Miss Esla Hearne, a native of Mills County, Texas, and a daughter of William H. Hearne, for many years a prominent ranchman of the Lone Star State. They have two children, Mary Nell and Joe Carroll. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore own their home at 1417 Woodrow Boulevard. Mr. Gilmore is a member of the A. F. and A. M., with member- ship in Blue Lodge No. 359 of Franklin, Texas, and is a member of the Chapter at Calvert, Texas, and of the Commandery at Bryan, Texas. He is also a member of Arabia Temple Shrine at Houston, and is also a member of the Y. M. C. A. Mr. Gilmore is proud of the fact that he came from Robertson County, made more so by this county having fur- nished many of the leading business and professional men of Houston.

1353

MEN OF TEXAS

YRUS S. GENTRY, attorney at law, Hous- ton, Texas, came to Texas and to Houston from Illinois during the early part of 1922, and soon thereafter was admitted to the bar. Mr. Gentry is a member of the law firm of Fogle and Gentry, which is composed of Lewis Fogle, and the subject of this sketch, and they are re- garded as two of the leading young lawyers of the Houston bar. This partnership was formed soon after Mr. Gentry was admitted to the bar and they have splendid offices located on the eighth floor of the Republic Building, and are engaged in a gen- eral practice of law. Mr. Gentry saw active service during the World War. He enlisted in June, 1917, and was assigned to the 12th Engineers, and his training was on the Mississippi River, at St. Louis, on specially equipped house boats. From there he went to France, and was attached to the British Army, but was later transferred to the First Army of the United States, and was still later transferred to the Second Army. He was discharged in July, 1919, when he returned to college at Oxford, Eng- land, where he received his B. A. degree in jurispru- dence from that famous institution in 1920. He began his career as instructor in classics and director in athletics in McKendree College and remained there from 1912 to 1914, when he went to England to enter Oxford University. After graduating at Oxford, he returned to the United States, becoming principal of the high school at Mascoutah, Illinois. He continued in this position until he came to Houston to practice law.

Mr. Gentry was born at Eldorado, Illinois, on May 14th, 1892. His father, W. C. Gentry, also a native of Illinois, has throughout his life been engaged in railroad work. Mr. Gentry has had unusual educa- tional advantages. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Illinois, after which he be- came a student of McKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, and graduated from this college in the class of 1911 with the B. A. degree. He then entered the University of Illinois, and graduated from that in- stitution in the class of 1912 with the M. A. degree. He then became a student at Oxford University, England, and left that college temporarily in order to enter the World War. Since locating in Houston, Mr. Gentry has identified himself with the busi- ness life of the city, and has many interests here, among which is the Ship Channel Lumber and Build- ing Company, of which he is a director and secretary.

Mr. Gentry is a member of the A. F. and A. M. with membership in Douglas Blue Lodge No. 361 of Illinois. He is also a member of the Y. M. C. A. and is a director in this organization.

UINTUS U. WATSON, for more than three decades one of the outstanding attorneys of the Texas Bar, and for many years a fac- tor in State politics, has been for around a decade one of the most prominent lawyers of Houston, and has entered heartily into the profes- sional and civic life here. Mr. Watson is a member of the law firm of Garrison and Watson, one of the strongest law firms of Houston, and one which has proven foremost in corporation practice since its establishment in 1922. The firm of Garrison and Watson are General Division Attorneys for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and represent many of the largest corporations at Houston. In addition

to the large volume of corporation practice handled by this firm they also do a general practice of law and are retained by many individuals at Houston. Garrison and Watson have offices in the State Na- tional Bank Building, and in addition to Mr. Garri- son and Mr. Watson, there is also a staff of younger attorneys connected with the firm. Mr. Watson gives the greater part of his time to legislative mat- ters connected with the large practice handled by his firm, and directs the business end, while Mr. Garrison represents the firm as trial attorney.

Quintus U. Watson is a native of Texas, having been born in Washington County, the second day of July, 1874. His father, B. A. Watson, a native of Virginia, came to Washington County around 1854 and was thereafter a merchant there and prominent in the life of that day, giving his time not only to his own private interests but to the development of his community until his death. His mother, whose maiden name was Miss Ann Gay, was a native of Washington County, and the daughter of Thomas Gay, who came to Texas with the old Austin Colony, and was a resident of Washington County, and one of the oldest settlers there. Quintus U. Watson at- tended the public schools of Washington County as a boy, and later entered Texas A. and M. College, where he attended several terms. After leaving col- lege he entered the law office of Searcy and Gar- rett, at Brenham, Texas, and studied law there. He was admitted to the bar in 1893, beginning his prac- tice at Giddings, in Lee County. Mr. Watson rap- idly advanced in his chosen vocation, and his promi- nence in law and affairs during the decade and a half of his practice at Giddings, brought about his election to the State Senate from that district, in 1907. While holding the office of State Senator Mr. Watson left the imprint of his influence on much of the legislation of that time, and added much to an already brilliant reputation as a lawyer and political leader. Mr. Watson was in the Senate until 1915, when he returned to private practice, com- ing to Houston, and establishing a large and lucra- tive practice here. Mr. Watson practiced alone, giving his attention largely to corporation mat- ters, until 1922, when he became associated with John T. Garrison, forming the firm of Garrison and Watson, and went with the Southern Pacific Lines as Division Attorneys. Mr. Watson has since con- tinued in this firm, which is one of the leading law firms of Houston.

Mr. Watson was married at Burton, Texas, in 1897, to Miss Jessie Burton, daughter of J. A. Bur- ton, and grand-daughter of the founder of the town of Burton, where she was born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Watson reside at 629 West Alabama Avenue, in one of the most attractive residence districts of Houston. Mr. Watson is a member of the Houston Club, the Elks Club, and is a Mason, Blue Lodge, at Giddings, Texas. Mr. Watson takes a deep interest in the educational, civic and commercial advance- ment of Houston, and is one of the most public spirited of Houston's citizens. As a lawyer he stands at the top of his profession at Houston, his rise to this position making an interesting and in- spiraitonal bit of legal history. A brilliant and in- teresting speaker, presenting sound and constructive ideals, Mr. Watson is in demand as a public speaker, and both at Houston and cities throughout the State high tribute has been paid both to his ability as a lawyer and to his standing as a citizen.

1354

Cyprus S. Gentry

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

ENRY ELI KAHN, Attorney at Law, and member of the well known firm of Heid- ingsfelder, Kahn and Branch of Houston, Texas, has practiced before the Texas bar for more than a quarter of a century. This firm, which is composed of A. E. Heidingsfelder, Henry E. Kahn and E. T. Branch, was formed in April, 1925, and is numbered among the strongest criminal law firms of Texas, and they also have a large civil practice. The offices of the firm are located in the Keystone Building. Mr. Kahn is regarded as one of the leading criminal lawyers of the Lone Star State, and is the principal trial lawyer of his firm. He handles all of the appeals cases for his firm, and has met with great success in the Appellate Courts. Mr. Kahn was admitted to the bar in 1897, and began the practice of law at Gainesville, Texas, and moved to Houston in 1898, and since that time has been associated, as a partner and firm member, with some of the South's greatest lawyers. He started his practice at Houston with J. B. Brockman, who was one of the greatest criminal lawyers of the entire South, and his reputation as such was known throughout the United States. This partnership con- tinued until the untimely death of Mr. Brockman in 1910. The firm was known as Brockman, Kahn and Williams. After the death of Mr. Brockman the firm was known as Kahn and Williams, Mr. Wil- liams becoming a member two years prior to the death of Mr. Brockman. This partnership continued until 1915, when Mr. Kahn formed a partnership with Judge J. V. Meek, also one of the most able lawyers of the Southwest. In 1922 Mr. Kahn joined the firm of Mathis, Heidingsfelder, Teague and Kahn, with whom he remained until joining the present firm.

A native of Alsace-Loraine, Mr. Kahn was born in Schirhoffen, Alsace, on June 26, 1876. His par- ents both died in the old country, and he came to the United States and to Texas to join his brothers and sisters, who preceded him to this country and located at Gainesville, Texas, where he grew to man- hood. His early education was obtained in the pub- lis schools of Gainesville, after which he entered the University of Texas, graduating from that institu- tion in the class of 1897 with the L. L. B. degree. He came to Houston in order to enter the Spanish- American War, but the war came to a close before he was mustered in, and he then began the practice of his profession here.

Mr. Kahn was married at Chicago, Illinois, on December 28, 1910, to Miss Lotta Beatrice Sherman, of Chicago, Ill., a member of a prominent Indiana family, but was reared and educated in Chicago. They have one daughter, Betty Rose. Mr. Kahn is en- thusiastic as to the future of Houston and South Texas, and never loses an opportunity to speak a good word for his city and State.

AMES PRESTON ROGERS, Attorney at Law, has for several years practiced before the Houston Bar, where he has been identi- fied with some very important cases and has established a creditable record. Mr. Rogers is engaged in a general practice of law in Houston and was a member of the Texas Legislature for four years, and will complete his last term in 1924, and during the Thirty-Eighth session of this body, he Was Chairman of the Common Carriers Committee. He is regarded as an authority on law and is an

author of more than passing note. He fathered many bills during his membership in the law-making body of Texas that will ever be a monument to his memory in this State, which were all for the good of the common people. Among these was the Child's Support Bill, of which he was the author, and the bill amending Workmen's Compensation, raising the minimum from $5.00 to $7.00 and the maximum from $15.00 to $20.00 per week and the repeal of the open port law, which only lacked three votes of passing. He also introduced a bill regulating wages of women and children, and while a member of the Legislature organized the Independent School Districts of Goose Creek, Webster, Humble and Houston. He also or- ganized the Navigation Board Port of Houston for Pilots. Mr. Rogers has his office conveniently lo- cated in the Republic Building.

Mr. Rogers was born at Hebron, Lawrence County, Mississippi, on January 24, 1885. His father, J. Frank Rogers, was engaged in farming in Missis- sippi, and in 1890 removed to Wesson, Mississippi, where he remained for one years and moved to Ten- sas Parish, Louisiana, and was flooded there by over- flows and removed to De Sota Parish, Louisiana, in 1892. His education was obtained in the country schools and the high school at Benton, Louisiana, where he worked his way by picking cotton, cutting wood and doing any kind of work that a boy of his age might do, at the rate of seventy-five cents per day. At fifteen years of age, he earned his first real money as a section hand and at seventeen years, worked for the Kansas City Southern Railroad for forty dollars per month. He came to Houston on $10.00, which he had borrowed from a brother-in- law, and landed in the South Texas Metropolis with the sum of $2.75 snugly tucked away in his pocket. He worked here at various occupations, earning not to exceed forty dollars per month, and later, he bor- rowed $2,000 and started in the furniture business, made loans, etc., and for a time was associated with Mr. W. R. Smith. In 1915, he sold his business and was appointed a Deputy Sheriff, after which he worked for Judge J. H. Howard, and during this pe- riod, he had the opportunity which he had long de- sired-that of studying law, which he did at night under the able guidance of Prof. John C. Townes, Jr., and was able during the daytime hours to earn $40.00 per month while pursuing his studies. He was admitted to the bar in 1917, having finished his law course in twenty-four months, and was also admitted through certificate to practice in the Fed- eral Courts during the same year that he was ad- mitted to the bar. As another evidence of thrift and determination to accomplish something, Mr. Rogers while getting started in his profession in Houston, purchased his home on the easy payment plan of $25.00 down and $25.00 per month. Mr. Rog- ers was married to Miss Anna Staples, of Belton, Texas, who is a graduate of Baylor University, and who is a cousin of General Sam Houston and a rela- tive of Secretary of State Staples. They have one daughter, Mona Carl, who represented the Missis- sippi Confederacy in the Houston Reunion in 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers reside at 548 Harvard Street. Mr. Rogers is a member of the A. F. and A. M., with membership in Reagan Lodge No. 1037, of Houston, and has also attained to the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite body of that order at Galveston, and is a member of Arabia Temple Shrine at Hous- ton. Mr. Rogers is also a member of the Knights

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MEN OF TEXAS

of Pythias, having passed all the chairs, received the Grand Lodge degree and is a Past Chancellor in that organization. He holds membership in the Houston Chamber of Commerce, the D. O. K. K.'s, and the Young Men's Business League. He is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Rogers takes an active in- terest in the capital and labor organizations of the State and believes that capital should recognize labor but that labor can not get along without capital, and that they should work together. He is also a be- liever in higher education, but believes that the secondary schools should come first. Mr. Rogers is in every sense of the word a self made man, and the future is bright for this attorney, who has striven hard and accomplished much for the citizenship of the Lone Star State.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 44

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