New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 65

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

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Mr. Ries was married at Beaumont, Texas, in 1906, to Miss Myrtle Heiney, a native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Ries now make their home in Galves- ton, and since removing there have taken an active part in the civic and social affairs of the Island City. Mr. Ries is a member of the Houston Adver- tising Association, the Turnverein Club and is a Blue Lodge Mason, Temple No. 4, Houston.

SCHOENMANN of Houston, Texas, has for more than two decades been an active figure in the commercial life of this city where he owns and operates the Schoen- mann Produce Company, wholesale dealers in fruits and vegetables. This company was established in 1911 under the name of Jeffords and Schoenmann, a partnership, and was operated under this name until 1923, when Mr. Schoenmann purchased his partner's interest and has since operated under the present name of Schoenmann Produce Company. Mr. Jeffords is now engaged in the produce business in California, shipping under the name of Jeffords- Schoenmann, although the subject of this sketch is not financially interested in this business. The Schoenmann Produce Company, which is located at 910-912 Commerce Street, has the distinction of be- ing the only firm in Houston handling fruits and vegetables exclusively. Twenty-five people are em- ployed in the operation of this establishment, which from a modest beginning has become a business of large proportions and is growing with each suc- ceeding year.

A native of Germany, Mr. Schoenmann was born on November 5th, 1881. His father, B. Schoenmann (deceased), was also a native of Germany and active in the business life of the Fatherland. His mother, Mrs. H. Schoenmann, was a member of a prominent family of Germany. His education was obtained in the schools of Germany, which he left at an early age in order to engage in business. He first started in the produce industry in 1906 and has been con- tinuously engaged in this field of activity, in fact has spent his entire business career in the various branches of the produce industry.

Mr. Schoenmann was married at Houston, Texas, on June 6th, 1912, to Miss D. Stark, a native of Houston, and a daughter of Mr. M. Stark, well known in the commercial life of Houston. Her mother, Mrs. M. Stark, was a member of a well known family of New York State. They have two children: Harriett Vivian and Burnice Marie, both at home with parents. Mr. and Mrs. Schoenmann reside at 402 Stratford Street. Mr. Schoenmann is a member of the B. P. O. E., the Houston Chamber of Commerce and many other of the city's fraternal and commercial organizations in all of which he

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takes a keen interest. His church membership is with the Beth Israel Synagogue, this being the re- ligion of his forbears throughout many generations. During his residence in Houston covering a period of more than twenty years Mr. Schoenmann has al- ways taken an interest in the upbuilding and ad- vancement of this city, where he is a leader in his particular line of activity. He has great faith in the future of Houston and believes the time is near at hand when this city will lead the entire Southwest.

B ERNARD JOSEPH DeGEORGE, a native son of Houston, Texas, as a very young man became a member of the business fraternity of this city where he was num- bered among the leaders of the real estate indus- try of the younger generation. He started his career in the business world with his father, Mr. M. De- George of this city, under the firm name of M. DeGeorge and Sons, and the subject of this sketch soon established an enviable reputation in his chosen field of activity. The firm of M. DeGeorge and Sons were engaged in the real estate business, handling their own properties and that of others, being signally successful in all their ventures. Both the DeGeorge Hotel and the New Auditorium Hotel are owned and operated by this firm, and Mr. De- George was for some time active in the manage- ment and operation of these hostelries.

Mr. DeGeorge was born on June 18th, 1891. His father, M. DeGeorge, a native of Italy, came to America and to Houston as a very young man and has been a factor in the commercial life of this city for many years. He has shown his faith in the future of Houston through his large invest- ments in real estate here and has always advised his family and friends to invest in Houston prop- erty. The mother of Bernard J. DeGeorge, also a native of Italy, was a member of a well known family of that country, where her name was Miss Ursula Ciulla. His education was obtained in the schools of Houston which he left at an early age in order to enter the business world, and all of his business experience was in the organization of his father in Houston, Texas.

Mr. DeGeorge was married at Houston, Texas, on June 9th, 1920, to Miss Lena Catherine Ciulla, a na- tive of Houston, and a daughter of Anthony Ciulla (now deceased), who was also a native of Italy, but for many years, prior to his death, had been a resident of Houston and active in the commercial life of this city. Her mother, also a native of Italy, was Miss Anna Christina, a member of a prominent family of their native land. Mr. DeGeorge was a member of the Catholic Church, this being the re- ligion of his forbears for many generations. Mr. DeGeorge died at Houston, Texas, on February 19th, 1922. He was one of the most popular young busi- ness men of Houston, having a host of friends who mourn his loss as being irreparable in a city where he was highly esteemed and loved by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Perhaps no young man of Houston had a brighter future than did Mr. DeGeorge as he was destined to become one of the leaders in his chosen field of activity, not only of Houston but of South Texas, where he was widely known for his pleasing personality and a constant desire to assist his friends in every way possible. He loved Houston and was never too busy to speak a good word for his city and community.

R. TREADWELL is well known in the business and financial circles of Houston where for fifteen years he has operated his own drug stores and prior to this time, he was for seven years associated with the T. E. Smith drug stores. Until 1923, Mr. Treadwell owned the whole or the controlling interests in five drug stores in Houston, when he disposed of his interests in the several drug stores and is devoting his entire time and attention to the Treadwell Drug Store, located at 3617 Washington Avenue, which is one of the leading drug stores of the city and also one of the oldest residence drug stores. The Treadwell Drug Store occupies a space twenty-five feet by seventy- five feet, and ten trained people are employed. This drug store has a modern prescription department presided over by careful and painstaking pharma- cists, also carries a full line of patent medicines, drugs of all kinds, druggists' sundries, toilet articles, stationery, school supplies, and in fact everything to be found in a first-class drug store. Mr. Treadwell also maintains a sanitary soda fountain, where he serves ice cold drinks of all kinds, ice cream and salad lunches. Mr. Treadwell has a large business in his line, which is made up of customers who have traded in his establishment since the drug store was started, together with new customers which he gains every day, who appreciate pure drugs and good service.

Mr. Treadwell was born in Red River Parish, Louisiana, March 11th, 1875. His father, W. H. Treadwell was a native of North Carolina and was for many years engaged in business in his native state and in Louisiana. His mother was Miss Josephine Pickens, a native of Tennessee where she was a member of a prominent family. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Jones County, and Dallas County, Texas, after which he received a business training. He began his business career in Dallas with the Skillern Drug Stores, among the pioneer drug dealers of Dallas, and re- mained with this firm for a period of seven years. He then came to Houston where he became asso- ciated with the T. E. Smith Drug Company and remained with this firm until he entered the drug business on his own account, and has met with un- usual success. Mr. Treadwell is interested in many of Houston's financial and business institutions and has been vice president and director of the Citizens State Bank since its organization.

Mr. Treadwell was married in Houston in 1915 to Miss Cecilia Clay, a native Houstonian and a daugh- ter of John Clay, one of the city's pioneer business men, and the family are large property owners of Houston. They have one daughter, Blanche Tread- well. Mr. and Mrs. Treadwell reside at 401 Heights Boulevard. Mr. Treadwell is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Houston Chamber of Commerce. He has devoted his entire life to the drug business and by his fair business methods and careful attention to business has built up a won- derful business and his customers are numbered not by the population of the contiguous part of the city, but from every portion of Houston. Mr. Tread- well participates in a most substantial and active manner in all moves and enterprises that have for their object the upbuilding of his city and its citizenship.

Note: Since above sketch was written Mr. Tread- well died March 3, 1925.

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EORGE WASHINGTON THARP. For half a century the name of George Washington Tharp, venerable and honored pioneer of Houston, stood for professional integrity unsurpassed in the annals of the history of the city. Mr. Tharp came to Houston as a young man, just out of law school, and imbued with ideals that were never lowered, with an enthusiasm that never dim- med, rendered conspicuous service to his community throughout the more than fifty years of his resi- dence here. He impressed his influence on the de- velopment of the growing community, took an active part in its upbuilding, made a record of signal achievement as an attorney, and was in every way a force for good, a factor for progress, in the com- munity in which he lived.

George Washington Tharp was born in the State of Ohio, eighteen miles from Columbus, on the first day of March, 1851. His father, Philip Tharp, a native of Virginia, came to Ohio in his early man- hood and spent his remaining years in that State. His mother, prior to her marriage, Miss Mary Swy- gert, was a native of Pennsylvania, but lived in Ohio for many years. As a boy Mr. Tharp attended the Academy of Columbus, later going to the Nor- mal College at Miami, Ohio. He then went to Web- sterville, where he took a literary course and after its completion entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, as a law student, taking his L. L. B. degree at that institution in March, 1880. Shortly after receiving his degree Mr. Tharp married and with his bride came to Waco, Texas. Mr. William Chapman, a classmate of Mr. Tharp, arrived at Waco a week before Mr. and Mrs. Tharp and in that week found the prospects there did not come up to their high expectations, for on the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Tharp they left for Houston. Arriving in Hous- ton in the late summer of 1880 they established the law firm of Tharp and Chapman, but after a short time Mr. Chapman's health gave way and he returned to his home in Ohio.

The next several years Mr. Tharp practiced alone, then formed an association with R. L. Whitehead, who had studied law in Mr. Tharp's office. During the time of this partnership Mr. Whitehead served as County Attorney of Harris County, and later left Houston. Mr. Tharp then continued his practice alone until his son, Philip Tharp, became associated with him.

Mr. Tharp was married just after taking his law degree, his bride being Miss Hannah Jones, whom he married the eighth of July, 1880. She was the daughter of John David and Margaret Wil- liams Jones, both natives of Wales, who came to the United States in 1865, coming direct to Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. In 1886 Mr. Tharp purchased the Tharp homesite of five acres, on Leeland Avenue, and built the fine old Tharp homestead, where he spent the rest of his life, rearing within its walls a family of six chil- dren. This home still stands, but was recently moved to 3016 Leeland Avenue.

The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Tharp are: Mary Mabel, wife f R. J. Stout, of Columbus, Ohio, and who have two children, Evangeline and Roy Jeffer- son; Bertha Jessie, wife of J. P. Reambert, of Hous- ton, and who have four children, James Lloyd, George Andrew, Hannah Juanita, and Howard Tharp; Anna Margaret, wife of C. F. Hetherington,

of Indianapolis, Indiana, and who have five children, Jessie Tharp, Frederick Benjamin, Virginia Ann, Richard Stevens, and Mary Sue; Philip Tharp, at- torney, of Houston, associated with his brother, George, in the firm of Tharp and Tharp, and who is married to Miss Elizabeth Clark, and have two children, Unice and Philip, Junior; George W. Tharp, Houston attorney, and who is married to Miss Kath- leen Okay; and Webster Jones Tharp, a graduate of the School of Mines, University of Texas, class of '24. These sons and daughters of Mr. Tharp were all educated in the public schools of Houston, and all graduated from the high school here.

George Washington Tharp was one of the most highly esteemed attorneys of Houston, and had hosts of friends in all walks of life. He was con- sidered an authority on many phases of jurispru- dence. During the half a century of his practice he handled many big cases, attaining a reputation in proportion to his years of service and practice. Mr. Tharp was a leader, taking part in all civic im- provements and contributing materially to the de- velopment of Houston. He was a man of distin- guished bearing, impressive personality, and was the center of any gathering. His friendships were many and there were few of the older residents of the city who did not known and honor this distin- guished pioneer. His death, which occurred at his home, the twentieth of January, 1923, was felt deep- ly throughout the city, and the memory of this honored citizen and lawyer, whose seventy-two years were so richly lived, will long be honored.

HOMAS MASON HAYNES. In the history of the progress of the city of Palestine, the name of Thomas Mason Haynes, veteran druggist and citizen of highest order, stands out as one of those men who had the welfare of his community ever at heart, placing the public good above his own private gain. There was no civic activity during his life time that Mr. Haynes did not support, helping in every way at his command to develop Palestine and make it a better place in which to live. His business associates found in him a man of sterling character and high ideals who made his influence for good felt in the commercial world. As a druggist, he operated a store that from the time of its organization kept pace with the progress of the city, giving the public a square deal, and was one of the most popular and extensively patronized drug stores within the environs of Pal- estine.

Mr. Haynes was born at Petersboro, Virginia, the twenty-first of January, 1869. His father, J. A. Haynes, a native of Virginia, was a Baptist min- ister in that state his entire life. His mother, be- fore her marriage Miss Mary Mason, was also a na- tive Virginian. Mr. Haynes received his rudimen- tary education in the schools of Middleburg, London County, Virginia, and after finishing his work there, he entered Richmond College, taking the four year course and graduating from that institution. Mr. Haynes went to Baltimore shortly after his grad- uation from Richmond College and for several years worked as a practical druggist in that city. In 1880 he came to Palestine, and was associated with John R. Hearne, the leading druggist, for a number of years.

Mr. Haynes was married at Palestine, the eleventh of November, 1888, to Miss Laura Sterne, daughter

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of C. A. and Sarah Mallard Sterne. Mrs. Haynes' father was one of the real pioneers of the Lone Star State, and her mother was a native of Tusca- loosa, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes had a fam- ily of four children, three daughters and a son. After Mr. Haynes' death, Mrs. Haynes removed to Houston, and has since made this city her home. The family now reside at the Garden Court Apart- ments.

Mr. Haynes died the ninth of April, 1909, at Pal- estine, Texas, where he had made his home for so many years. His life in that city had been devoted to the highest good of his community and the wel- fare of his fellow men, and his memory is honored as one of the real builders of the city. He counted his friends by the hundreds, people from every walk in life, and all of whom admired him for his ideals, his true standards of living, his stanchness as a friend, and his Christian spirit. His passing was the cause of a sincere regret on the part of the en- tire citizenship, and a distinct loss to the business world there.

ELIX FOURCADE-For almost half a cen- tury Felix Fourcade occupied a prominent place in the business world in Houston, contributing to the advancement of this city along commercial lines, and taking a deep in- terest in civic activities. Mr. Fourcade brought to bear in his business a constructive attitude con- ducive to the highest type of business development, and there was ever associated with his name an integrity which gave prestige to the enterprise with which it was associated for so many years. He was the type of business man who gives of his best to his community, and to his business, and was a leader in every forward movement, and Houston has felt in many ways the results of his deep in- terest in the progress and welfare of the city.

Felix Fourcade was born at New Orleans, Lou- isiana, the twenty-ninth day of March, 1857, and spent his boyhood in that city, attending the pub- lic schools there. As a boy he began in a local bakery shop, learning this business, and at the age of seventeen years, in 1874, coming to Houston, where he worked in a bakery shop for a short time. A little later he went with the firm of Fox and Heitmann, continuing with that firm, and its suc- cessor, the F. W. Heitmann Company, from 1875, until his death, in 1923. During the forty-eight years that he was associated with this company, Mr. Fourcade took a deep interest in its develop- ment, and as one of the directors of the F. W. Heitmann Company influenced in a large measure the prosperity of the company along broad and progressive lines.

Mr. Fourcade was twice married, his first wife, Kate Fourcade, preceding him in death many years. There were born to this union ten children; six daughters, and two sons survive. The surviving children are: Miss Blanche Fourcade; Ella, wife of John Cummings; Mrs. Marie Johnson; Leontine, wife of Frank Parker; Kate, wife of Scott Mat- thews; Victoria, wife of Bert Pereira, and Paul and Arthur Fourcade. Mr. Fourcade was married for the second time to Mrs. Kate Ward, the widow of Stanford D. Ward, a prominent business man of Houston, this marriage occurring the twenty-sixth of May, 1915. Mrs. Fourcade was the daughter of John Mohr, who came to Texas in 1872, from New

Orleans, and located at San Jacinto, later remov- ing to Houston, where he engaged in the wholesale and retail fish business for many years, during the early days running his own boats and supplying his markets with his fish. Mr. Mohr was a native of France. Mrs. Fourcade's mother, whose maiden name was Miss Amelia Armbruster, is also de- ceased. Mrs. Fourcade had six children by her first marriage, four daughters, Mollie, wife of R. W. Knodel; Maggie, wife of J. F. Rougagnac; Ernes- tine, wife of T. S. Lubbock; Kate, wife of Lee John- son, and two sons, Stanford D., and H. Looscan Ward. Mrs. Fourcade is prominent in social and civic activities at Houston, and one of the best loved women of her community.

Felix Fourcade was a member of the fourth de- gree Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Church, and was a Woodman of the World. His death occurred in Houston, at his home, 517 Sampson Street, the seventeenth of December, 1923, at the age of sixty- six years. Mr. Fourcade was highly esteemed by his associates and a wide circle of friends, both at Houston and in all parts of the state, and his death was a distinct loss to his community, and the memory of his busy and useful life will live in the memory of these friends and associates for many years to come.

REDERICK AUGUSTUS TAYLOR, for upwards of four decades a factor in the railroad world of the Lone Star State, and for many years an honored resident of Houston, had a share in rail activities that have helped to promote civic welfare, and was one of the best known railroad men of the State. In the rail- road world, Mr. Taylor was regarded by his asso- ciates as one of the best equipped men in the serv- ice, always ready to do his full duty, and more, and a real pioneer, who by reason of his years of faithful service, was entitled to the highest respect.

Frederick Augustus Taylor was born in Queens County, New Brunswick, Canada, in March, 1854, the son of James G. Taylor. He was educated in the schools of Canada, and in 1880 came to Texas, re- maining at Marshall for a short time, then going to Galveston, with the Santa Fe Railroad, as Train Dis- patcher. Later he came to Houston, which was his home for many years, although he was during his career in the railroad world, in various Texas cities at different times. Mr. Taylor was widely known as a conductor, and at various times was on lines in Southwest and East Texas, serving on almost every line in that district, running between Houston and Galveston, Galveston and Dallas, Houston to Temple, and at the time of his death was on the run from Sealy to Matagorda, Texas.

Mr. Taylor was married at Temple, Texas, the fifth of June, 1893, to Miss Cora Wilcox, a native of Central Illinois, and the daughter of S. Wilcox and Mrs. S. Wilcox, nee Hamblen, a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of two children, a daughter, Estabrook, and a son, Hamblen, both of whom are married.

Frederick Augustus Taylor was a member of Hella Temple Shrine, at Dallas, later transferred to El- mira Temple at Galveston, and was a Scottish Rite Mason. He was also a member of the O. R. C. His death, which occurred at Sealy, Texas, the eighth of July, 1915, was a distinct loss to the community, and deeply felt in the railroad circles.

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ILLIAM ROZELL KNIGHT. William Rozell Knight was for many years associated with important business activities, and was one of the most prominent and widely known contractors in Texas, contributing to the construc- tive development of Dallas and other cities, and al- though he was a resident of Houston but a few years at the close of a busy career he left the im- print of his influence on the life here, and was deeply interested in all civic and welfare work. Mr. Knight was one of those sturdy business men of purpose who are able to achieve success through their own efforts and a talent for directing big things and making them go, and he soon built up one of the largest contracting firms in Texas. A man of highest ideals and integrity his association with the contracting business was reflected in a practical way in the raising of building standards.

William Rozell Knight was born in Livingston, Texas, the twenty-fifth of October, 1856. His father, Washington Johnson Knight, pioneer of the pioneers, came here with his father at the age of twelve years, and was thereafter a resident of Texas until his death, which occurred when his son, Wil- liam Rozell Knight, was three years old. His mother, who was prior to her marriage Miss Mary Rozell, was a native of New York State. William Rozell Knight was educated in the schools of Galveston and Houston, after which he entered Georgetown University, but later entering the University of Texas, where he received the L. L. B. degree. He then returned to Goose Creek, and for some years drove cattle from South and Southeast Texas to the Davis Mountains. In 1888 he went to Dallas and engaged in the general contracting business, and at first concentrating his efforts to Dallas, later broadening the scope of his work, and making his business statewide. He formed the Knight-Kenyon Company, one of the largest contracting firms of Texas, and was active in it until his retirement from business life in 1907. The list of buildings erected by Mr. Knight and the firms of which he was a member would include many of the leading indus- trial, commercial and office structures of Dallas and elsewhere in Texas. In 1914 Mr. Knight went to Galveston, remaining there for two years, coming to Houston in 1916, and making this city his home until his death. Although he had retired after com- ing to Houston, yet he was prevailed upon to super- intend the building of the new South Texas Com- mercial National Bank Building, as well as the new Y. W. C. A. Building.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 65

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