New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 66

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

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Mr. Knight was married at Cleburne, Texas, the fourteenth of February, 1882, to Miss Annie Gillcoat, a native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a daughter of G. W. Gillcoat, a native of Arkansas, who came to Texas in early life and was a resident of this State for over fifty years, his death occurring in Dallas in 1915. Mrs. Knight's mother, who is also de- ceased, was prior to her marriage, Miss Nancy Mc- Clung. Mrs. Knight was for more than forty years the constant companion of her husband, taking an interest in his career, and inspiring him to achieve success, and was also an ideal home-maker and mother, rearing a family of six children. These children are Mabel, widow of the late L. A. Laven- der, and who has two children, Alvin, and Frances Louise; Mary Etta, wife of D. C. Elam, of Goose Creek, and who has two children, Juanita and Harry;

William R. Knight, Jr., who married Miss Mabel Bushel, of Dallas, and who has two children, Wil- liam Rozell and Bettie Jane; George C. Knight, of Houston, who married Miss Nora Bower, and who has one child, George C., Jr .; Charles B. Knight, a manufacturer of Houston, who married Miss Hazel Young, and Jack Knight of Houston. Since Mr. Knight's death Mrs. Knight has made her home at 312 Bayland Avenue, Houston, and has many friends in this city. William Rozell Knight's death occurred the twenty-second day of October, 1925, while he was en route to Dallas, where he had formerly re- sided for many years. Mr. Knight was well known in business circles throughout Texas. For many years he was a great civic worker, belonging to various civic organizations, but during his latter years he retired from these on account of ill health, not, however, relinquishing his deep interest in civic and welfare work. Mr. Knight was a lover of hu- manity, a good conversationalist, and the type of man who makes and holds friends. His death was a great loss, not only to Houston, but to the State and to his many friends and associates, and it will be long before his place is filled.

EORGE WILLIAM HEYER. Among drug- gists who have achieved national reputa- tion, stands the name of the late George William Heyer of Houston, who won dis- tinction through the distribution of his famous "Heyer's Prickly-Heat Powder." Mr. Heyer began the manufacture of this powder shortly after he came to Houston, in 1885, compounding it accord- ing to a prescription of his own. He placed it on the market through local channels, mainly in his own drug store at Houston, but as the fame of this well known necessity spread, he was soon called upon to extend his market and increase his manu- facturing facilities. At the time of his death, in 1900, the powder was meeting a national demand, and even finding ready and extensive sale in foreign countries. The preparation met with the approval of such men as Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, of the Good

Housekeeping Bureau

of Foods, Sanitation and Health, who gave it a "star" rating. Since Mr. Hey- er's death, his widow, Mrs. Ella S. Heyer, has con- tinued the manufacture of this preparation, per- sonally supervising the business, and through na- tional advertising, combined with the high reputa- tion and recommendation of the powder, has greatly extended the market.

Mr. Heyer was a native of New Orleans, where he was born in 1864. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native city, graduating from the high school there at the age of sixteen. He then entered the Medical College of New Orleans, tak- ing the pharmacy course, and graduating with the pharmacy degree. While in college he gave great promise and was a brilliant student, finishing his course with honors. At the age of twenty-one, he came to Houston and for a short time worked in a drug store in this city. He then went in busi- ness for himself, opening a store at the corner of Preston and Main Streets, later removing to Cap- itol and Main Streets, at which location he con- tinued until his death. Since his death, Mrs. Heyer built the Heyer Building, where this manufactory is located, at 1118 Capitol Avenue, comprising a modern three-story and basement structure with a foundation for a nine-story building, and is consid-

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ered a very valuable piece of property. Mrs. Heyer is now the owner of the building, where she super- vises the manufacturing of the powder.

Mr. Heyer was married at Houston to Miss Ella Stewart, a native of Austin. Her father, Robert Cummins Stewart, a native of Virginia, came to Washington County, Texas, as a young man, ship- ping sheep in the county and for many years en- gaging in business as a sheep raiser. In those days the sheep were brought in on rafts, coming down the Mississippi River, after which they were herded to the ranch. Later Mr. Stewart removed to Austin, where he was the owner of a large warehouse and other cotton business and was a well known banker until his death, which occurred in 1883. Mrs. Hey- er's mother before her marriage was Miss Mary Frances Blake. Mr. and Mrs. Heyer had one son, George Stewart Heyer, who was born and reared at Houston, attending the public schools of that city and graduating from high school here. He later went to the University of Texas, at Austin, where he took his B. A. degree. He was married to Miss Jane Gregory, daughter of the United States attor- ney general under President Wilson. He and his wife now make their home in Liverpool, England, where Mr. Heyer is in the cotton business, mem- ber of the firm, C. E. Kenworthy Company.

George William Heyer died at Yuma, Arizona, the twelfth of January, 1900, at the age of thirty- six years. A man of promise in his profession, his death, occurring thus in his early prime, cut short a career that would have brought him other distinc- tions. He was secretary of the State Pharmaceutical Association for a number of years. He was of a studious nature, giving careful attention to pharma- ceutical development and advancement, and was ac- tive in the various associations, both local and state. Mr. Heyer had a distinguished bearing that com- manded respect in any gathering, a pleasant man- ner and personality that won him many friendships, and was one of Houston's most popular young busi- ness men. He liberally supported many of the worthy causes and civic movements of his day, and took an active interest in the welfare of his com- munity. His death was a distinct loss, not only to his profession, but to the city and state.

ICHARD OSBORN BIDWELL. Although a resident of Houston but a few years at the close of a busy life, Richard Osborn Bidwell, a man of many distinctions in the business world, left the imprint of his influence on this community, and Houston is indeed fortunate to have been able to count him as one of its citizens. During the time that he spent here he demonstrated many times his interest in the development of the city, his real benevolence, as typified by his generous contributions to many worthy causes, and his real interest in his fellowmen. He won many friends here, and his death was a distinct loss to the com- munity.

Richard Osborn Bidwell was born the tenth of March, 1863, at Providence, Rhode Island. His father, Richard O. Bidwell, for many years a res- ident of Rhode Island, later removed to Vineland, New Jersey, and his death occurred in that state. His mother, before her marriage, Miss Carrie Willis, was a native of Connecticut. Mr. Bidwell attended the public schools of New Jersey, graduating from

high school. As a young man he began in the sand business at Vineland, New Jersey, and built up a very large business, supplying glass sand to the larger glass manufacturing plants throughout that section of the country, among which was Whitall and Tatum Company. He made a large fortune in that industry, and was widely known throughout that section of the United States. Mr. Bidwell, how- ever, was not the type of man to be content with achieving success in one line of endeavor, and to meet the demand for a really successful sand wash- ing machine he studied the question from every angle, and himself invented the most successful sand washing machine in operation, and a machine that is now in use, and the standard, all over the world.

Mr. Bidwell was the founder and head of the Bid- well Crystal Sand Rock Company, of Vineland, New Jersey, miners of foundry, glass and pottery mate- rials, and concrete and filtration products. When his health failed in 1909 he sold his interests in this business for fifty thousand dollars and came to Corpus Christi, Texas, in an effort to regain his health. But he was by no means ready to retire from the ranks, and in a short time had acquired what was known as the Bidwell Hotel, which he operated for nine years. During this time he made various investments in and around Corpus Christi and owned business and residence property in the city and ranch properties in that section. The storm of 1915, resulting in the almost total destruction of a part of Corpus Christi, cost him a small fortune, although he still had large holdings and was finan- cially independent. Several years after the storm, in 1918, he removed to Houston, but was not ready to retire. To occupy his time, he opened and operated an auto tire and auto supply business, which he con- ducted for two years, after which he disposed of this interest and spent the two years preceding his death in looking after his interests.

Mr. Bidwell was married the thirty-first of May, 1884, to Miss Elvira E. Homan, a native of Orange County, New York, and the daughter of Edward A. Homan, for many years prominent in various activi- ties in Orange County, and Lucy A. Purdy Homan, a native of White Plains, New York. Mrs. Bidwell always took a great interest in her husband's career and was his constant companion and inspiration. She was a good wife and home maker, and reared a family of three children. These children are Richard O. Bidwell, Jr., of Vineland, New Jersey, who is married to Miss Rebecca Hennis, and who has two children, Sarah Rebecca and Richard O., the third; Sarah A., wife of James L. Kelter, now of Houston, and who has two children, James L., Junior, and Muriel Bidwell; and Miss Lillian Bidwell, a student at North Side Junior High School.

Mr. Bidwell died at his home, 709 Highland Ave- nue, the fifteenth of December, 1922, and was buried in Forest Park Cemetery. A man of many and varied interests, he had always found time to help his fellow man, to live the life of the true Christian citizen, and his life furnished a real inspiration to those who knew him. Home and family ever held first place in his life, and he was never too engrossed in business affairs to be a companion to his children and his wife.

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ILLIAM FRANCIS LANE-For a quarter of a century William Francis Lane, pioneer insurance man of Houston, went his way, a man of simple tastes, imbued with high ideals of right, and without being a leader was one of those men who by personal example play an im- portant part in the lives of those about them. His was the guiding hand in the building up of a large insurance organization, and to the business world he was known as a man of sincere purpose and honest intent. A man who loved home and friends, Mr. Lane was blessed in great measure with those sim- ple virtues that make for friendship, and an evening spent with his family, or with friends who shared his ideals, was one of the greatest pleasures of his life. He was charitable in an unostentatious way, preferring to bestow his benevolences without any show or heralding, and none of the many who went to him for help were turned away if it were in his power to give the help they asked.

William Francis Lane was born at Longview, Tex- as, the sixth of July, 1876, son of William T. Lane, and Dorothy Florede (Felton) Lane. His father was a native Texan, born near the old town of Danville, Rusk County. To secure a good education was the leading purpose of his life, and by the light of pine knots he obtained sufficient learning to begin teach- ing country school, by means of which he paid his way through college and was admitted to the bar at Longview, Texas. William Francis Lane's mother was a native of Georgia who came to Texas in child- hood, and was educated in Tyler College. Her par- ents were wealthy planters, freeing about two hun- dred negro slaves at the close of the Civil War, in which she lost two brothers. William Francis Lane spent his early years at Longview, attending the schools there, graduating from high school with hon- ors. He later attended law school and a medical school, deserting these professions to enter the in- surance business. He came to Houston in 1899 and formed his first business connection here, as an in- surance man. Later he effected the organization of the Southwestern Mutual Benefit Association, a large home company writing benefit policies, and was the president of that organization until his death. The offices of this company are in the Freed Building, and it is continuing to function under lines laid down by Mr. Lane.

Mr. Lane was married at Houston on the fifth of November, 1900, to Miss Louise F. Reichardt, daugh- ter of William Reichardt and Mary (Kuhlmann) Reichardt. Mr. Reichardt, a native of Germany, came to America more than a half century ago, and was a merchant at Houston for many years. Mrs. Reichardt is a native of Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Lane had an ideal married life, Mrs. Lane being that charming type of American woman who made of her home a home indeed. It was no doubt due to her influence that Mr. Lane found in his home those comforts for which many men turn to clubs and lodges, and his happiest hours were those spent in the home she created. Home loving though he was, Mr. Lane was not unsocial. He counted his friends by the hundreds, men and women who admired and respected him for those simple virtues that gave character to his life, and his death, which occurred at his home on the third of September, 1925, was sin- cerely mourned by his wide acquaintance. Several

years before his death his friends urged him to be- come a candidate for the legislature, which he did, and was very nearly elected, although he became candidate a week before election. Mr. Lane was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, and an active church worker, frequently singing in the various churches. Mrs. Lane resides at 828 Teetshorn Avenue.

LFRED STROMAN NEWSON. For almost nalf a century the name of Alfred Stroman Newson was recognized in commercial cir- cles at Galveston as one of those sterling business men who are the backbone of commercial prosperity, and who through the development of a substantial business enterprise contribute to the growth of a city as a commercial center. Mr. New- son was primarily the business man, finding in busi- ness his chief interest, and giving to the manage- ment of the large market interests he had founded an application and industry on which true business success is built. During the years of his residence here it was Mr. Newson's privilege to watch the development of Galveston from a small port city until it became one of the most important cities of the Gulf Coast, and as Galveston grew and ex- panded, so the business, established in a small way, prospered, and kept pace with development. Mr. Newson was one of the first market owners at Gal- veston to recognize the opportunity which lay in supplying choice meats to the ships in harbor here, and to hotels and other large consumers, a business in which he specialized, and the business which he build up in this line was easily the largest in Gal- veston.

Mr. Newson was a native of London, England, where he was born of English parentage, the ninth of March, 1847. He obtained his education in the schools of Canada and the United States, coming to this country as a boy, and after finishing his public schooling entered the meat business. As a boy he had worked in a meat shop, learning the practical points of the business at an early age, and later, in 1869, he came to Galveston and went in business for himself. Although he began in a small way, such was his ability, and his business acumen that in a short time his business began to expand, and soon became the most important market business in Galveston. He attributed his success to his early adopted rules of making cleanliness and quality his first considerations, and in a day when these two points were not stressed as they now are, his shop was recognized as progressive and modern far be- yond the usual. He built up a large and profitable business supplying ships with their meats, and also supplied hotels, restaurants and other large con- sumers with quality meats. He had the largest busi- ness in this class in Galveston, and supplied most of the ships coming into the port here, a business which increased annually, as Galveston grew.

Mr. Newson was married at Galveston in 1871 to Miss Margaret Stevenson, the daughter of James C. Stevenson, a contractor and builder at Galveston in the early days, and Margaret Welch Stevenson. Mr. and Mrs. Newson resided for many years at 1801 Avenue H and were the parents of one child, Mrs. George B. Ketchum. Mrs. Newson and daugh- ter reside at the Galvez Hotel. Mr. Newson was a Mason, York Rite, and a member of the British Club, one of the earlier clubs here, but since dis-

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

banded. Mr. Newson was intensely the business man, finding in his work both vocation and hobby, and while he did not enter actively into the various public works which appeal to many men, he served for a short time as water commissioner, and was also deeply interested in the development of Galves- ton along commercial lines and as a port city. His death, which occurred in Galveston the sixteenth of December, 1915, marked the passing of a pioneer in the market business, who through constructive and progressive business methods had contributed much to the development of this business, and who was in every way a substantial citizen of his community.

EONARD C. SWINGLE. The career of Leon- ard C. Swingle, pioneer of the Lone Star State, is an essential part of the history of Houston, and was marked by many distinc- tions. Mr. Swingle was a factor in the printing business of that day, and for a number of years took a leading part in all activities associated with the development of that industry. He also took time from a busy and useful life, to interest himself in the welfare of his community and took a prominent part in the civic affairs of Houston. He was a man of enthusiasm and determination, and his life was an inspiration to all who came in contact with him.

Leonard C. Swingle was a native of the Lone Star State, his birth occurring at Galveston, on the twen- ty-seventh of June, 1840. He was the son of Cap- tain Alfred and Laura E. Swingle, a real pioneer family, and for many years residents of Galveston. Captain Alfred Swingle first came to Texas from his home in Ohio during the frontier days, bringing with him a company of men to fight in the Mexican War. After hostilities ceased he decided to make this State his home and located at Galveston, but later went to California, where his death occurred.

Mr. Swingle was educated in the schools of Gal- veston and New Orleans, receiving a good education and equipping himself to enter the business world advantageously. After finishing his education in New Orleans he returned to Galvesotn and entered the printing business, first on a salary, and later going into business for himself. After thirteen years in the printing business in that city, during which time he advanced steadily in the industry, he disposed of his interests in Galveston and came to Houston, in May, 1883. He first went to work for Mr. W. H. Coyle, veteran printer of Houston, and later went into business for himself, retiring a short time before his death.

Leonard C. Swingle was married at New Orleans, the twenty-seventh of March, 1870, to Mrs. Sarah E. Summers, nee Allmand, a native of Tennessee, who came to New Orleans as a child and was reared in that city. Mrs. Swingle's father, C. H. Allmand, a native of Tennessee, went to Covington, Louisiana, as a young man and was in the cotton business on a large scale in that city. Later he disposed of his interests there and came to New Orleans, where he engaged in the lumber industry, building a number of large mills at Mississippi City, and taking a prom- inent part in the commercial and civic activities of the day. Her mother, before her marriage, Miss Elizabeth Allen, was also a native of Tennessee.

Mr. and Mrs. Swingle were the parents of one child, Alfred F. H. Swingle, a prominent wholesale lumberman of Houston, with offices in the Humble Building, and who is married to Miss Magdaline

Fitzgerald. Leonard C. Swingle died at his home in Houston the twenty-seventh of May, 1891, just a month before his fifty-first birthday. In 1893 Mrs. Swingle built a residence at 1507 Dallas Avenue, where she has lived for the past three decades. She is a woman of many talents, a real home maker and mother, and is one of the most admired and beloved women of Houston.

Mr. Swingle's life was lived at a time when Hous- ton was not the city it is today, but a small city with untold possibilities for development. He en- tered the business and community life here with a whole souled spirit that meant triumph, and with a real enthusiasm built not only a prosperous business, but was one of the real builders of the city. He was ever ready to give generously of his means and free- ly of his time for the welfare of his community and his fellowmen, and he will always be remem- bered as a man whose serene spirit, high ideals and honest friendships, made him a pillar of strength in his community.

N. CHAPMAN, oil operator and investor, is one of the younger men of Houston who is becoming well known in the oil industry in South Texas. He has his office at 307 Lumbermans Building. He handles various branches of the oil business and is well informed as to the various fields in the Gulf Coast and has already had a measure of success.

Mr. Chapman deals in leases and royalties and various other activities incident to the oil industry. He is a practical oil man of many years' experience and is already attracting favorable attention from old, experienced operators of the coastal field.

Mr. Chapman is a practical geologist and his expert knowledge of formations has proven highly valuable in estimating the value of leases in which he has become interested. He has been engaged in the oil business since 1920 but was interested in development work prior to that time. Before com- ing to Houston he operated in the fields at Humble and Orange, Texas, and was formerly with the Brazos Oil Corporation of Texas, holding the posi- tion of secretary and treasurer of this company.

Mr. Chapman is a native of Texas and was born at Hempstead on February 19, 1891. He is a son of J. N. and Lucretia (Calhoun) Chapman, and was educated in the schools at Hempstead. His father was engaged in the merchandising business at Hempstead and after leaving school Mr. Chapman was associated with his father until the latter's death in 1915. After that he was in charge of his father's estate until 1920, when he became actively interested in the oil business. For more than seven years he carried the responsibility of looking after his father's large family.

A close student of everything pertaining to the oil industry, Mr. Chapman has followed closely the development of the oil industry in Texas and has studied the formations in the North Texas fields as well as those of the coastal belt. His thorough enjoyment of the work and close attention to every detail, coupled with an intense determination to succeed, is expected to make him an outstanding figure in Texas oil circles during the next few years.

Mr. Chapman is a thorough and consistent booster for Houston and expects this city to assume its logical position as the center of the oil industry in the South during the next few years.

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MEN OF TEXAS

RCHIE R. ANDERSON, for thirty-six years a resident of Houston, now retired from active business pursuits, has had a wide, varied and interesting career, both as a citizen and as a public servant. Mr. Anderson came to Texas from Mississippi January 3rd, 1883, and four years later came to Houston, where he has since resided. He has held many public offices and served with complete satisfaction to the people as sheriff of Harris County for fifteen years, and during this period he was in many close places, which try a man's soul and nerve, but never had to kill a man, and was never wounded himself, although he arrested single-handed some of the "bad" men of Texas. Mr. Anderson was first elected sheriff of Harris County in 1898 and six consecutive times thereafter. This was at the time when Texas his- tory was in the making and conditions were very different here at that time. Gambling was every- where, cattle and horse thieves were abundant, and many of the historic cowboys would, in reality, want to "shoot up the town," and it required a master hand to cope with the situation, and Mr. Anderson was always equal to every condition, and established a record in being one of the very few men who could control the situation in the early days.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 66

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