New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 68

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

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Note: Since the above sketch was written Judge Reeves died on March 1, 1925.

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USTAVE DUVERNOY. The Lone Star State has claimed many great educators, men and women who have devoted a life of service to education and prominent among these stands the name of Gustave Duvernoy, dean of Hous- ton school men, and for many years a leader in this field. At the time of his death one of the oldest active educators in Houston, Professor Duvernoy had been associated with the schools of this city since 1863, teaching in the first high school built here. Among the men prominent in the business world today, many pay tribute to the inspiration given them as school boys by this earnest, ever smiling educator, and many give him credit for their suc- cess in life. A man of highest ideals, with an un- limited enthusiasm for his life's vocation, talented and successful in all his educational work, he was one of the most influential figures in the pedagogic circles of his day and Houston is indeed honored through the many years of service and devotion he gave to the cause of education in this city.

Gustave Duvernoy was born in Montbeliard, France, July 18th, 1830, and educated in his native country and Germany. His father, an artillery cap- tain in the great Napoleon's army, had a most inter- esting career in his native country. As a child he was taken to Germany by his parents where he received his education. As a young man he took part in the German revolution of 1848 and after spending ninety-three days in prison, he came to America. He came to New York where he expected to teach. He was also a talented musician and as he wanted to see the country before settling down to his career he joined a United States band and a little later was sent to San Antonio, Texas, where he remained from 1851 until 1854, when he was discharged and went to Galveston. Here he entered educational work and until coming to Houston in 1863 taught music, as well as teaching in the schools of that city. Pro- fessor Duvernoy came to Houston in 1863 and began teaching piano and voice, and also in the public schools. When the first high school was built he became a member of the first faculty and was active in educational work until his death. For twenty-five years he served the Annunciation Church as choir director and organist and served in like capacity for many years the Beth Israel Synagogue.

Professor Duvernoy was married in Galveston the thirteenth of September, 1855, to Miss Dorothea Sell- ner, a native of Prussia, which at that time was a part of Poland. She came to the United States as a girl with her sister and brother-in-law, and lived in Galveston for many years. After Professor Du- vernoy came to Houston, she was a resident of this city and until her death the eighth of March, 1900, took an active interest in her husband's career and was one of the most loved women of her neighbor- hood. Professor and Mrs. Duvernoy had a family of seven children, three of whom died in infancy, and two, Marie Louise, who died in 1880, and Emile, who died in 1901. Two daughters, both well known in Houston, survive. Miss Henriette, who has since her mother's death taken her place in the home, and Miss Emma, registrar of Central High School, has been connected with the schools of Houston since September, 1890 and was her father's assistant for two years before his death and has now succeeded him.

Gustave Duvernoy passed away at his home in

Houston the twenty-fourth of June, 1917, at the age of eighty-seven years. He had been active in the work he loved until his death and remained through- out his life the jovial, enthusiastic educator, whose pupils were his friends and who had a smile for all. He was loved by all who knew him and at his death men and women by the hundreds who had been his students as boys and girls, many of them gray headed now, came to pay their last respects to this fine old man who had influenced for so many years the youth of his city and encouraged them to seek a real success in life. He had given his entire life to education and in return had been richly blessed in friendships and in the love his students and for- mer students bore him. The many incidents of his life, all associated with educational affairs and with the lives of the boys and girls of his community, form a bright page in the history of his city and his memory will be forever honored as one of the truly great men and educators of his time.

OLLY PEINE. In recounting the develop- ment of the public school system of Hous- ton, the name of Wolly Peine, for two de- cades a factor in the educational world, stood out as that of an alert and discriminating ex- ecutive, who, by his clear insight into the condi- tions and demands of modern education, helped bring the Houston schools to their present high standard. Mr. Peine became business manage of the Houston schools in 1903, the first man to hold this posi- tion, and his administration was progressive, his heart being thoroughly in the work, and his en- thusiasm marking him as an influential factor in the development of the present educational system. His business ideals were the result of many years' study and investigation and showed a marked tend- ency to keep apace with rapidly changing standards, and his efforts in behalf of the Houston schools were both extensive and important.

Wolly Peine was a native son of the Lone Star State, and was born at Indianola, the sixth of January, 1868, son of Lewis and Nanett Reese Peine. His father, a native of Germany, came to the United States at the age of nineteen, first going to New York City, and then coming to Texas, first to Brownsville, where he established himself as a watchmaker, and later going to Indianola, follow- ing the same craft. Still later he was a resident of Houston and of Wharton, at which place his death occurred. His mother was born at New Orleans, later coming to Texas, and was married in Indianola.

Mr. Peine attended the public schools of Houston. He then became a telegraph operator with the Southern Pacific Railroad, later being made sta- tion agent. He came to Houston as assistant to the manager of the Southwestern Life Insurance Company, holding this position for several years, after which he was made business manager of the Houston schools, a position he held until his death.

Mr. Peine was married at Flatonia, Texas, the seventeenth of February, 1898, to Miss May Burns, a native of that place. Her father, Edward E. Burns, whose birthplace was in Mississippi, came to Texas as a young man, locating in Fayette Coun- ty, where he lived until retiring from active life. He now resides in Houston. Her mother, before marriage, Miss Nettie Harrison, a native of Texas, is deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Peine were gra-

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cious, cultured people, whose influence was helpful in their association with young people, and they had many friends in Houston. Mrs. Peine is in- terested in welfare, civic and educational work, but her own time is devoted to her family.

Mr. and Mrs. Peine had a family of five children, Louis Peine, a graduate of Houston High School, and radio expert with the Tel-Electric Company; Leon, a graduate of Houston High School, and with the South Texas Lumber Company, and Lorene, Walter and Jeanette, students in the Houston schools. Mrs. Peine and family have an attractive home at 1506 Rosalie Street.

Mr. Peine died at Houston the eleventh of Octo- ber, 1918, following an attack of influenza. The record of his life, so closely associated with educa- tional work at Houston, shows many achievements and worth-while activities, and will for all time be accorded a place in the history of his city. A man who, during his life-time, made many friendships; did many deeds of benevolence, and was active in every progressive movement, his memory will be an inspiration for the young people of Houston.

EORGE CHESTER GIFFORD. The name of George Chester Gifford was closely asso- ciated with the early days of the history of the Lone Star State, and is a name that stands for achievement in many lines of endeavor. As a land owner and rancher, Mr. Gifford came into prominence in the seventies, at which time he was associated with his uncle, the famous Shanghi Pierce, of pioneering days, in Matagorda and Wharton Coun- ties. Beginning with one section of land, near Pierce, Texas, Mr. Gifford became one of the large land owners of that section and was widely known throughout the state. In 1898 he went to Wharton and entered the mercantile business, continuing in this line until his death, his establishment, the Gif- ford Mercantile Company, becoming one of the large and prosperous firms of the day. But Mr. Gifford was a man of broad vision, for he extended his busi- ness interests, with unvarying success in every line. He took over the R. T. Ervin Banking business, a private bank, and very capably directed the affairs of that institution. He also had large holdings in the Peoples Oil and Cotton Company and in the milling business, continuing to direct his ranch hold- ings, his mercantile business and the banking insti- tution. A real captain of industry, Mr. Gifford could take most any business and make of it a success in the largest and fullest sense of the word. He had vision, executive ability, an indomitable courage, and with these natural qualities of leadership it was in- evitable that he become the most prominent man in Wharton County, and a leader in development and progress. But like all men who achieve things by their own grit and sound judgment, Mr. Gifford made some critics, and by one of these, he was shot in cold blood in his bank at Wharton, his death occurring a few days later.

Mr. Gifford was born in Massachusetts, January 23rd, 1852. His father, Christopher Chester Gif- ford, a native of that state and a prominent con- tractor and builder, later went to New Jersey, in which state his death occurred. His mother, before her marriage Miss Hannah Pierce, was a sister of Shanghi Pierce, one of the real pioneers of the Lone Star State, and a native of Rhode Island. Mr.

Gifford attended the schools of New Jersey, and at the age of eighteen years, in company with his uncle, Shanghi Pierce, came to Texas to carve his fortune in a land that promised much to the young man of real determination.

Mr. Gifford was married in New Jersey, the fif- teenth of October, 1890, to Miss Annie M. Sowle, daughter of Jethro Sowle, a native of Massachusetts, and Mary Grinnell Sowle, a native of Rhode Island. Returning to Wharton County after his marriage, Mr. Gifford continued to make this his home. Mr. and Mrs. Gifford had two children, Anne, wife of Christopher Jones, a native of Washington, D. C. and a business man of Houston and Wharton, and who has two children, Priscilla Gifford and Chris- topher Lloyd; and a son, George Chester Gifford, a student in a preparatory school in Connecticut. Mrs. Gifford resides in Houston at 708 West Alabama Avenue.

George Chester Gifford died at Wharton, Texas, the seventh day of October, 1915. His death, at the climax of a career as brilliant as it was worth while, was indeed a loss to the county of Wharton and to the entire state, for his activities had a more than local scope and significance. A man who had made many friends and was widely beloved and admired, he served his community well and faithfully, and his life, though cut off so rashly, was not in vain.

OBERT E. LEE JENKINS came to Hous- ton in the nineties and was from that time until his death one of the leaders in civic activities, taking a prominent part in the commercial life of his day, and giving many years of an industrious and busy life to the development of his community. Mr. Jenkins made the real estate business his especial forte, building up an extensive and profitable business, and operating it in such a way as to reflect credit upon the entire commun- ity. As a realtor he had the vision to foresee in the Houston of the early nineties the great city of today, and in the accomplishment of this future he had no small part. He used his influence to encourage building and the location of new indus- tries and enterprises within the city and stressed the importance of realty investments. He was active in this work until his death, and is today regarded as one of the vital forces for progress in the history of the city.

Mr. Jenkins was a native of Missouri, where he was born in the town of Wellsville, on the fourth of April, 1866. His father, a native of Virginia, came to Missouri as a young man and spent most of his life in that state, engaged in agricultural pursuits. His mother, before her marriage Miss Mary Jane Williams, was also a native of Virginia. Mr. Jenkins attended the schools of his native state until the death of his father, while he was in his teens. He came to Texas at the age of eighteen, locating at Palestine, where he went to work for the International and Great Northern Railroad, run- ning from Galveston to Palestine. He moved to Houston, in the nineties, and shortly thereafter quit the railroad and went in the real estate business. In this he was very successful, dealing in all classes of real estate, and building up one of the most profitable businesses in the city. He was still active in this line at the time of his death, in 1918.

Mr. Jenkins was married at Houston, the ninth of August, 1893, to Miss Theresa Gehring, a native

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of this city, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Gehring. Her father, for many years a resident of Houston and prominently identified with the life here, was a confederate veteran, and came to Hous- ton as a young man. Her mother, before her mar- riage Miss Augusta Hoffman, lived at Houston for many years and was married here. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins had one child, Marian, wife of A. R. Elgin, member of a prominent Houston family, and one of the firm of Dealy-Adey-Elgin Company, a pioneer printing firm of Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Elgin have two children, Marian Theresa and Alfred Rob- ert, Junior, both infants. Mrs. Jenkins has a very attractive home at 3718 Main Street.

Mr. Jenkins died at his home in Houston the sev- enth of August, 1918. Genuinely and sincerely in- terested in his city during the more than two de- cades of his residence here, he had become known as one of those unselfish citizens who are the making of any city. He had early appreciated the need of outside capital and new business to make of Hous- ton the city it was destined to become, and took the lead in securing these advantages. His interest in the real estate business was not alone for private gain but that he might thus aid in the development of his community. Mr. Jenkins had many friends, business men from every walk in life, who honored and respected him for his real sincerity and earnest- ness of purpose. He was prominent as a Mason and an honored member of the Gray Lodge for many years.

AMES BOYD MOORE, pioneer oil man, and for many years one of the foremost figures in the various fields of the Lone Star State, took an active part in the development of this important resource, and attained a high reputa- tion as an operator familiar with all phases of oil field work, and a real authority on oil matters. Mr. Moore was for two years a resident of Houston, making Beaumont his headquarters, and directing his operations in the various fields from there from 1902 to 1916. He was the sterling type of citizen whose influence on the community is responsible for progressive movements and civic growth, and he was a liberal contributor to many charitable and civic organizations. His belief in the city's future, his many activities of commercial and industrial im- portance, are sufficient to place him in the ranks of the real builders of Southeast Texas.

Mr. Moore was born at Kosciusko, Mississippi, the ninth of August, 1880, the son of T. A. and Ruth (Webb) Moore. His father, a native of Alabama, and one of the most beloved Baptist Ministers of his time, held services throughout Texas, and his death, the third of January, 1919, was a deep loss to the ministry of that church. Mrs. Moore, a native of Mississippi, is now living in New Orleans.

As a boy Mr. Moore attended schools at various points in Texas, later entering Baylor University, at Waco. While there his attention was attracted to the oil industry, then in its infancy, and he left school to go to Beaumont and participate in the work there. In June, 1902, he went to Spindle Top, short- ly after that field first came in, and was one of the most enthusiastic workers in that field. Later his interest was transferred to Goose Creek, and oper- ating for himself, he had a number of real successes to his credit. Mr. Moore also gave a part of his time to the handling of leases, and was an authority

on lease questions and values in the various fields. He served for a time as Vice-President of the Beau- mont Well Works, in which he was financially inter- ested. Mrs. Moore still owns an interest in the Goose Creek fields, and looks after other interests in the State. Mr. Moore's last operations were in the Louisiana fields, but these were never com- pleted, his death occurring just when he was get- ting operations well under way.

Mr. Moore was married the fifteenth of Novem- ber, 1905, to Miss Pauline Dotson, daughter of E. M. Dotson, a native of Mississippi, and Annie (Stroud) Dotson, a native of Georgia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dotson now make their home in Beau- mont and Houston: Mr. and Mrs. Moore had an ideal married life, and were real companions. She was his inspiration throughout his career, rejoicing in his successes, and cheering him when things did not go well. They had a family of four children, Robert Milton, learning the oil business, Annie Ruth, a high school student, James Boyd and Pau- line, both students in the Houston schools. The fam- ily attends the Baptist Church, in which faith Mr. Moore was reared. The family resides at 1013 Ken- wood Avenue.

James Boyd Moore died at Houston, the sixteenth of October, 1918, after an illness of only eleven days. A man in his prime, his career had many distinctions, and he faced a future unusually prom- ising. During the years of strenuous work in the oil fields he found his chief diversion in golf, and was one of the real expert players of his time. He was the winner of a number of cups, the first of which he won in 1911, and which are among the most prized possessions of his widow. Mr. Moore was sincerely kind-hearted, a true friend and a Christian gentleman, and his loss has been felt by the oil fraternity and by his host of friends and relatives.

RTHUR LIPPER, a well known figure in the business world of Houston for the past thirty-five years, was ranked among the leaders in the business as well as the civic affairs of the city, where his business sagacity was in great demand. In 1915 Mr. Lipper founded the Lipper Motor Car Company, Inc., which grew under his wise management until today it is one of the leading automobile companies in the city, and stands as a memorial to his business ideals. He was asso- ciated in this company with his two sons, Edward Lipper as Vice-President, and George Lipper, Sec- retary and Treasurer, who have carried on the busi- ness since the death of their father.

Mr. Lipper was born in Mexico in 1863. His father, George Lipper, a native of Germany, came to Mexico as a young man, and for many years was engaged in the practice of medicine in that country, later engaging in the mercantile business there. He disposed of this business in 1880 and came to Houston, where he retired from active business pur- suits. Mr. Lipper's education was obtained in the public schools of New Orleans, Louisiana.

He began his business career in the mercantile business, which he continued until 1893, when he engaged in the loan business, which he continued until 1900. In 1900 he was elected City Secretary of Houston, which position he held until 1905, when he entered the loan and brokerage business, and in 1912 became quite active in automobile brokerage,

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buying automobile paper, which he continued until he organized the Lipper Motor Car Company, Inc., in which he was engaged at the time of his death in January, 1924.

Mr. Lipper was married in Houston in 1883 to Miss Florence Larendon, a member of a well known Houston family. To this union was born three children, Edward, George and Mabel, the wife of B. M. Levy, who is an active figure in the brokerage circles of Houston.

Mr. Lipper literally grew up with Houston, seeing it grow from a small town to a busy, thriving, pro- gressive city in which he played no small part, al- ways being ready and willing to help promote the growth and importance of his city, in which he had the greatest faith.

EROME BOLLING COCHRAN. A history of the city of Houston would be far from complete were mention not made of Jerome Bolling Cochran and the part he took in the development of the city. One of the leading insurance men of Texas, Mr. Cochran was for two score years a factor in the business life of Houston, taking a leading part in the world of affairs here, not alone from a commercial standpoint, but in fraternal and civic circles. He was also one of the leading politicians of Houston, taking a prominent part in all city, county and state politics and while he never held a public office, his influence was a determining factor in many politcal events. Mr. Cochran was a business man of sound integrity, pro- gressive, yet conservative in all his activities. He had high ideals of citizenship, and was concerned with the development of Houston as a whole, rather than development from a selfish angle. His business affairs were conducted on the same high plane as his private life and few men could claim a greater esteem or counted more friends than he.

Jerome Bolling Cochran was born at Marion Sta- tion, Mississippi, November 9, 1863, the son of Dr. Jerome Cochran and Sarah Jane (Collins) Cochran. Dr. Cochran, a native of Tennessee, in which state he was born the fourth of December, 1831, was a practicing physician and surgeon for many years. His death occurred in Alabama in 1877. Mrs. Coch- ran was a native of Mississippi. Jerome Bolling Cochran attended the public schools of Mobile, Ala- bama, later entering the University of Alabama, where he took the A. B. degree in 1882. He then came direct to Houston and went with the O. L. Cochran insurance firm. Later he established the Cochran Insurance Agency, of which he was the head until his death. This agency, with offices in the First National Bank Building, was developed under Mr. Cochran's direction and became one of the largest insurance agencies in Houston, representing a number of strong companies in this city and writ- ing a large volume of business annually.

Jerome Bolling Cochran was married to Miss Annie Walker, at Raleigh, North Carolina, the sev- enteenth of December, 1883. Mrs. Cochran, a native of Clay City, Missouri, was a daughter of the late Andrew P. Walker and Charlotte Benton (Gorman) Walker. Mr. Walker was a prominent attorney of Missouri until his death, which occurred during Mrs. Cochran's early girlhood. Mrs. Walker was a native of Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran had a family of seven children, Jerome Cochran, Houston pub-

lisher, who married Miss Ethel Clark and who has one child, Elma Cochran; Shchamyl Cochran, lieutenant commander, stationed at Annapolis, and who married Miss Isabelle Miller and has two chil- dren, Margaret and Ina Walker Cochran; Loleta, now Mrs. Ernest E. Dattner, of Houston; Walter Cochran, lieutenant commander, attached to the U. S. S. Stoddard, and who married Miss Elsie Rich- mond; Viola, now Mrs. Ben C. Duffie of Houston, and who has one child, Benjamin Duffie; Irma, now Mrs. Henry R. Schulz, of Dallas, and who has two children, Henry Cochran Schulz and Zelma, now Mrs. W. Knox Mellon of Houston. Since Mr. Coch- ran's death, Mrs. Cochran has continued to reside at the family home, 1518 Hamilton Street, where the family has lived for the past thirty-three years. Mr. Cochran was a Woodman of the World and past head counselor of this order.

Jerome Bolling Cochran died at San Antonio, Texas, the first of July, 1924, having gone to that city in January, 1924 on account of failing health. His death marked the passing of one of Houston's foremost business men and has been deeply felt not only in Houston but throughout the state. The in- surance world has lost in his death one of the fin- est and most enthusiastic insurance men of Texas, and Houston a citizen, who through his many activi- ties in behalf of the development of the city has been a factor in the progress of the past quarter of a century.

OHN EDWARDS BISHOP-The Lone Star State had few men who gave so unstint- ingly of their time in the cause of educa- cation, as John Edwards Bishop, pioneer representative of this profession in Texas, and dur- ing the latter years of his life an honored resident of Houston. Mr. Bishop came to Texas as a young man, and when this state was still largely unsettled, and in the education of the youth of that day, took a prominent part. A man of real culture, talented and successful as an educator, alert and discrimi- nating, Mr. Bishop had his heart wholly in this work, and his enthusiasm made him an influential figure in this field.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 68

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