New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 69

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

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John Edwards Bishop was a native of Virginia, where he was born the third of April, 1837, son of William Bishop, a very prominent Methodist preacher of that state, and whose death occurred in Palestine, Texas, when the subject of our sketch was a young man, and Lavinia Schoolfield Bishop. The family came to Texas before the Civil War. During his boyhood Mr. Bishop attended the schools of his native state, and also took his college work there. Shortly after leaving college the family came to Texas, going to Palestine, where for a number of years he engaged in teaching school, building up a reputation that was to increase with each pass- ing year. Later he went to Corsicana, teaching there for several years, and where he was active in all welfare and educational work. He then went to Waxahachie, spending several years in pedagogic work there, and still later going to San Marcos and Luling, at both of which places he proved to be both a popular and enthusiastic exponent of educa- tion. After some years in Luling advancing years necessitated his retirement, and he spent the re- mainder of his life at Houston, looking after inter- ests of his own, but not losing touch, or interest,

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in young people and their training and education.

Mr. Bishop was married the twenty-third of De- cember, 1873, to Mrs. Florida Wynns McLelland, a widow, and the daughter of Archibald Wynns, a native of Tennessee, who came to Houston in 1837. Mr. Wynns was married to Miss Martha Edmunds in Paris, Tennessee. The Wynns family was one of the outstanding families of the early days, and among the real pioneers who helped to make Texas the great state that it is today. Mr. Wynns was a prominent lawyer of his day, and served as a mem- ber of congress during the time Texas was a re- public. At the time of her marriage to Mr. Bishop, Mrs. Bishop had one son, by her former marriage, William Clayton McLelland, who married Miss Helen Nina Ervine; and there were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop five children, Horace Bishop, John E. Bishop, Jr., Miss Linnie Bishop, Julia, wife of C. L. Newton, and who has two children, Martha Elizabeth and Howard Newton; and Mattie Bishop, deceased.

John Edwards Bishop died at his home in Houston, the twenty-eighth of November, 1918, at the age of eighty-one years. His entire life was devoted to the cause of education, and his enthusiasm in his chosen vocation resulted in many advances in this work. During his many years as an educator, Mr. Bishop taught many of the men who have since held prominent and responsible positions in the bus- iness world, and these former pupils recall with pleasure the eager, enthusiastic teachers who first instilled in them the love of knowledge. Truly his life was richly lived, and the record of it will stand a bright page in the history of education in the Lone Star State, to inspire the children of tomorrow, as he inspired those of yesterday.

HARLES AUGUSTUS NEWNING-The story of the career of Charles Augustus Newning, for a quarter of a century a lead- er in moulding and shaping public opinion in Houston, presents a most interesting and inspira- tional bit of history, and serves to show what can be accomplished by the individual whose ideals are kept consistently high. Mr. Newning impressed him- self on the life of Houston as one of the remarkable personalities here, and as a constructive genius in the field of industrial development. A deep student of economic conditions, he had a special fund of in- formation and constructive ideas concerning lumber and other industries, and knowing the working side of the lumber industry as few have known it he was a powerful factor in the development of Houston as a lumber center. As a citizen Mr. Newning was alligned with the progressive element, and as a pub- lisher he was a factor in promoting the develop- ment of the country and the expansion of trade along several lines. As a writer his common sense and his logical presentation of situations, problems and solutions conveyed to his readers a clear understand- ing of the situation, and frequently saved a hazard- ous position, and he brought to the business world a wholesome philosophy that was especially notable.

Charles Augustus Newning was native

of Newark, New Jersey, born the twenty-fourth of October, 1854. His father, Isaac Newning, a promi- nent attorney of New Jersey, died shortly after the close of the Civil War, and his mother, prior to her marriage, Miss Charity Drake, returned to her New

York home with her family. After her son, Charles Augustus Newning, came to Texas she also came, making her home with him at Austin until her death.

Mr. Newning received his education in the schools of New York City, and after graduating from high school there, began work as runner in a bank, and also worked in the New York Stock Exchange. Later he went with Kountze Brothers, bankers, of New York City, and at the age of twenty-three years was sent to Austin by this large firm to fill the responsible position of cashier in the bank of Francis B. Forster at Austin. Later he entered the fire insurance field, building up a large business and while engaged in this line his personality began to be felt in Austin and he formed close friend- ships with many of the prominent men of the day. He was active in all civic work, and in 1895 he began his newspaper work with the establishment of the Southern Industrial and Lumber Review, a paper whose influence for good was immediately felt. During his residence in Austin, Mr. Newning served several terms as county commissioner of Travis County, and was the originator of the good roads movement of this county. It was during the last few years of his residence in Austin that he organized the Sons of Jove, a fraternal order de- voted to men interested in things electrical, and spent about two years in preparing the Ritual.

In 1899 Mr. Newning removed to Houston, where he established the Southwest Publishing Company, and the Southwestern Electrician, a magazine de- voted to the wide field of electricity as applied to modern inventions and uses. In addition there issued from his press three other publications, The Texas Tradesman, The Rice Industry, and The Texas Magazine, and with the power of the press thus mobilized he became a factor in the development of the various trades and industries. Mrs. Newning still publishes the first named of these.

Mr. Newning was twice married, his first wife leaving at her death one son, O. B. Newning. He was married the second time in Austin, the fifteenth of April, 1891, to Miss Mary McCarty, a native of Iowa, and the daughter of Martin McCarty of Ohio, who later moved to Iowa, and still later to Texas, his death occurring at Austin. Mr. and Mrs. Newning had one of the attractive homes at 3509 Audubon Place, where Mrs. Newning continues to reside. They had a family of three children, Samuel D. Newning, with the Southwestern General Electric Company in Houston; Harry Newning of Mexico City, both graduates of Notre Dame University, and Margaret, wife of Walter B. Mensing of Virginia. Mrs. Newning was for many years her husband's assistant in his journalistic work, giving him both that inspirational help so necessary to success, and the more practical help which gave her that insight into his work as a publisher that has enabled her to take active charge of his work and carry it on since his death.

Charles Augustus Newning, whose death occurred at Houston the fifth of April, 1924, after two years of illness, was of that rare type of men who, through their unselfish devotion and unswerving loyalty to a cause, make the world better for having lived in it, and the memory of his life, and the great and im- portant work he did will form a bright page in the history of the press of Texas.

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ISHER HUNTER SCOTT, whose activities for a period of two decades identified him with Houston, took an active part in the commercial life of this city, and his career, as interesting as it was varied, is an integral part of the history of his city. Mr. Scott came to Hous- ton in 1901, and lived through and took part in, a vital time in the life of his community, those years when a city is in the making, and much that he did in a business way was for the general up- building of Houston.

Fisher Hunter Scott was born in Kentucky, and spent his first few years in the Blue Grass State. When he was a small boy his father died, and his mother brought him to Dallas County, Texas, shortly afterward. He spent most of his boyhood in that county, and had but meagre opportunity to gain an education due to the conditions of this time. As he himself often said, he picked up all he knew in that school of experience, the greatest of all colleges, and what he learned was of a practical nature.

In 1901 Mr. Scott determined to come to Houston, this city seemingly offering an opportunity for ad- vancement that promised well for a young man with his way to make. Arriving in the city he went with the Houston Electric Company, and after an interval with that corporation was special officer for the railroads of Houston for several years. He then became house officer for the Brazos Hotel, taking this position shortly after the completion of the hotel. After several years in this office he became interested in the oil business, then attract- ing considerable attention in Texas, and with his usual indefatigable energy entered this business, buying and selling leases, and meeting with more than usual success. Later he bought a half interest in the Noyes Safe and Lock Company, in 1916, and was president and manager of this enterprise until his death, in 1922. Since that time Mrs. Scott has retained his interest in the company, while not as- suming an active part in its management.

Mr. Scott was married the third of August, 1905, to Miss Mary Virena Hudgins, a native of Wharton County, Texas. Her father, W. A. Hudgins, was one of the first settlers of Wharton County, engaging in stock raising in that section until his death. Her mother, Mrs. Emma West Hudgins, was a native of Ft. Bend County, her family being counted among the real pioneers of the Lone Star State, and taking an active part in its development. In later years the West family removed to Houston, where they became well and favorably known for their respec- tive activities.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott spent their entire married life in Houston, taking an active part in the social and civic life of their community. Mrs. Scott still makes her home here, residing at 716 Willard Street. She is a woman of charming personality and has many friends both here and in her old home in Wharton County. Mr. Scott died at his home in Houston the nineteenth day of November, 1922, at the time of his death being active president and manager of the Noyes Safe and Lock Company. His career represents achievement, entirely by his own efforts, and is the inspiration of many Houston boys. His entire life in Houston was spent in such a way as to reflect credit on his city. He was never too busy or too tired to do his duty, and more, in a

civic way, and his fellow citizens honered him ac- cordingly. Familiar with the soundest of business principles, enjoying the absolute confidence of the people, and with the highest of ideals, Mr. Scott maintained a place of high honor in the business world, and his passing was the cause of a sincere regret on the part of his business associates, as well as his many friends.

RANK MILES WALKER, who came to' Houston in the late eighties and was there- after a factor in the printing industry in this city, was highly successful in his ef- forts in behalf of higher standards in that craft, and also took an active part in civic development. Mr. Walker was one of the most true and generous citi- zens of Texas, giving freely of his time and means for the development of its resources, and accounting well for himself at all times. In Masonry few names are accorded greater honor and respect, and in the history of that order his name finds frequent place.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Frank Miles Walker was born the seventeenth of December, 1857, one of the seven children of William and Eliza (Miles) Walker. He first attended the schools of his native city and, later, the schools of Cairo, Illi- nois, to which place the family had removed. As a boy he entered the printing plant of the Cairo Bul- letin, at Cairo, and here learned the intricacies of the trade, applying himself with diligence to every phase of the industry, and becoming familiar with every detail of the printer's art. From 1883 to 1887 he was superintendent of the plant of the Morning Bulletin in Bloomington, Illinois .. In 1887 he came to Houston, to which city he had been attracted by the promise it held for the young man beginning his career. He spent a short time with the J. J. Pas- toriza Printing Plant, then went to Galveston with Clark and Courts, printers. But after a short while in Galveston he returned to Houston, again going

with J. J. Pastoriza, and remaining with that firm for several years. This was followed by a second period at Galveston, this time as superintendent of the Clark and Courts plant, a position he held until 1905. In that year he returned to Houston as man- ager of the State Printing Company, remaining with that firm two years, then going to Dallas with the Dorsey Printing Company, and remaining active there until his death in 1911.

Mr. Walker was married at Houston, the seven- teenth of August, 1889, to Miss Alma Martha Reisse, a native of Barton, Wisconsin. She was an ideal wife and helpmeet, inspiring her husband through- out his career, in which she took an appreciative and sympathetic interest. Since his death she has re- turned to Houston, living at 715 Rosalie Avenue, and takes an active part in Eastern Star work. Even before Mr. Walker's death she had devoted much time to the activities of this order, and for a quarter of a century has been identified with the Eastern Star work. She is Past Grand Matron, Order of Eastern Star of Texas, an honor accorded her in recognition of her services, and wherein she distin- guished herself. She also devotes much of her time to work in the Episcopal Church and in Y. W. C. A. activities.

Mr. Walker was one of the real big men in Ma- sonry, devoting to the activities of that fraternity a great deal of time. He was, at various times, Wor- shipful Master, High Priest and Eminent Com-

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mander, Past Grand Patron of the Order of Eastern Star, of Texas. At the time of his death he was a member of Tucker Lodge, No. 297, A. F. and A. M .; San Felipe De Austin Chapter No. 1, R. A. M., Gal- veston Counsel No. 16; San Felipe De Austin Com- mandery No. 1, Knights Templar, Dallas Lodge of Perfection No. 7; Lone Star Chapter Knights of the Rose Croix No. 4; Dallas Counsel of Knights of Ko- dosh, No. 12; Dallas Consistory No. 2; P. G. P., Order of Eastern Star of Texas, Past Patron Mizpah, Chap- ter No. 2, Order of Eastern Star; El Mina Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; honorary member of the Grand Chapter of Oklahoma Eastern Star Number 32. He was also a Woodman of the World, of Galveston, his membership in that order dating from its first or- ganization in that city. Mr. Walker died at his home in Dallas, the sixteenth of July, 1911, at the age of fifty-four years and was buried in Houston, which had been his home for many years. A man of many distinctions, both in the business world, the social world and in Masonry, he was above all a real lover of humanity, and as such will ever be re- membered.

ESSE GREENBARY DUDLEY, for more than a quarter of a century was a leader in commercial activities at Houston, taking a deep interest in civic development and using his influence to secure additional advantages for his city. Mr. Dudley was a pioneer in the cafe business here and had a wide experience in this call- ing, and during the many years he spent in this field was a factor in raising the standards of cafe operation. He organized and operated successfully one of the finest cafes in Houston, taking great pride in having his establishment reflect credit on himself and his city. Mr. Dudley, during the latter years of his life, was also interested in the real es- tate business and with his genius for making things go, as well as his keen sense of values and foresight, was successful also in this line. His policy was to purchase property in line for developments, later selling to advantage.

Jesse Greenbary Dudley was born in Florida, in the town of Granville, on the sixteenth day of Octo- ber, 1872, son of Aaron and Sarah (York) Dudley. His father lived in that state for many years, his death occurring there. His mother then came to Texas, with her son, and lived in Houston until her death. Mr. Dudley spent his' boyhood in the city of his birth, attending the schools there. After his father's death, which occurred while he was in his teens, Mr. Dudley left his home in Florida and came to Texas, for a short time living on a plantation but later removing to Houston, where with a brother, Henry M. Dudley, he opened his first cafe. Later he engaged in this business alone, operating a cafe in the Prince Building for some time, then opening the cafe on Main Street which he operated until his death, with the exception of his last six months, when ill health forced him to turn the management of this interest over to others. After his death in 1921, Mrs. Dudley continued to operate the cafe until 1922 when she sold the business.

Mr. Dudley was married the eighteenth of July, 1894, to Miss Lottie Rindt, a native of Houston and daughter of Charles Rindt, who was born in New Orleans, later removing to Galveston in the early days and still later coming to Houston, which he made his home until his death. Her mother was

Miss Louise Erb, a native of Germany, who came to the United States with her parents while she was a child and spent her girlhood in Galveston, where she met and married Mr. Rindt.

Mr. and Mrs. Dudley spent their married life in Houston. In 1912 they built the fine home at 903 Hol- man Avenue which they and their family thereafter occupied, and where Mrs. Dudley now resides. This attractive and hospitable home has ever been open to a wide circle of friends to whom its mis- tress has endeared herself by her many lovable qual- ities and her charming personality. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley had a family of three children, Jesse Green- bary Dudley, employed by the city of Houston and a Witter, of Belton, and who has one child, Jesse Green- bary Dudley, the third; Henry Charles Dudley, of Houston, who married Miss Maude Stedman, of Beau- mont, and who has two children, Gene Elizabeth and Lottie Idell; and Idell, wife of Griffin Duff Vance, of San Antonio, and who has two sons, Griffin Duff Vance, Junior, and Dudley Vance.

Mr. Dudley died at Houston the ninth of Sep- tember, 1921, just a few weeks after celebrating his forty-eighth birthday. He was a member of a num- ber of fraternal organizations, the B. P. O. E., Knights of Pythias and Dokeys. Mr. Dudley was one of the patriotic and public spirited citizens of Houston, active in all development work, and a leader in progressive business activities. He was a man of striking personality, a good conversation- alist, well versed in all the topics of the day, and had a host of friends to whom his death was a deep loss.

SAAC W. WALKER. For many years this venerable pioneer was associated with those activities of civic and commercial impor- tance that largely influenced the future of Houston, and his name will ever be accorded a place of honor among the builders of the city. Whether as banker, as farmer, as cotton factor, or as a pri- vate citizen, he played his part well and Houston can boast of no truer, more generous citizen than this splendid man who gave so largely of his time and means for the development of his community. Mr. Walker, in the many years of his residence here, enjoyed some of the highest distinctions and honors of his home community, and was known not only in Houston, but throughout the Gulf Coast dis- trict for his many interests in the commercial world.

Isaac W. Walker was born in Madison, Georgia, the fifth of February, 1851, the son of John and Elizabeth (Fannin) Walker, both natives of that state, and prominently identified with the life there. Mr. Walker was one of a family of thirteen chil- dren, and as a boy attended the schools near his home. At the age of fourteen he ran away from home and joined the Confederate Army, fighting through the later part of the war. After its close he traveled a great deal, and became attracted to the Lone Star State, where he had heard great wealth awaited the young man of enterprise and in- dustrious habits. He came here a few years after the war and bought up large tracts of land in Whar- ton County, and with his brother, Oliver Walker, whom he induced to come to Texas, he operated one of the large plantations of Wharton County for many years. He sold this interest and moved to Houston, where he went with the pioneer banking firm of Milby and Porter. Later he was associated with T.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

W. House, in his bank, and in 1900 went into busi- ness for himself, as a cotton factor. While he was primarily an exporter on a large scale, he did not confine his interest to this branch of the business, but handled all lines of cotton and cotton seed products. Mr. Walker was active in this business until several years before his death, in 1915, and was one of the leading cotton men of the Lone Star State, and one of those qualified to speak with authority on any question concerning this industry. He was the organizer of the Oriental Textile Mills that has grown to be one of Houston's leading industries.

Mr. Walker was married the twentieth of October, 1884, in Houston, to Miss Mamie Johns, daughter of Andrew J. Johns, a native of Louisiana and a large sugar plantation owner of that state. His death occurred when Mrs. Walker was a small child and her mother, before marriage Miss Minerva Plough, came to Houston, where her death occurred in Feb- ruary, 1918. She was the daughter or Dr. A. L. Plough, of New Orleans. Mrs. Walker is a woman of many accomplishments and a real home maker. She took a deep interest in her husband's career and was his constant inspiration. More than three dec- ades ago she moved into the fine old home at 2216 Milam Street. Mrs. Walker now resides at 2211 Louisiana, with her daughter, Miss Sarah M. Walker, who was educated in Houston and New York. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Walker, John H. B. Walker, a graduate of Texas A. and M. College, is one of the well known filling station operators of Houston, and is married to Miss Inez Hall.

Isaac W. Walker died at his home in Houston the nineteenth of December, 1915, after an illness of three years. He was at the time of his death sixty-four years old and, with the exception of the several years prior to his death when ill health forced his retirement, one of the most active men of the city. He was an indefatigable worker, and gave to his business affairs an enthusiasm which, combined with the integrity ever associated with his name and a natural talent for affairs, was a factor in his success. Mr. Walker took great pride in the accomplishments of his city, and in these accom- plishments had taken a very material part. He had many friends, men and women from every walk in life who admired and respected him for his simple virtues and his sterling character. His death was a distinct loss to his city and to the enterprises he had directed for so many years.

R. ELMORE ELLSWORTH GRANT. For a quarter of a century the name of Dr. El- more Ellsworth Grant was of special signi- ficance in Houston, and was accorded high honor, not alone became of his signal achievement in the field of medicine and surgery, but also on account of his efforts in behalf of the development of the County School System of Harris County, and his work for the welfare of school children. Dr. Grant ever gave of his time and efforts for the im- provement of the schools of Harris County and dur- ing the two decades he served on the School Board he worked indefatigably for the advancement of educa- tional standards, as well as for better and more school buildings, better equipped teachers, longer school terms; and the general welfare of the pupils. As a physician, Dr. Grant won the highest esteem and for three decades of his residence in Harris County he was the faithful custodian of the welfare

of his patients and worthy in every way of the honors and obligations attached to his profession.

Dr. Elmore Ellsworth Grant was born at Merenga, Iowa, the ninth of May, 1861, the son of Dr. James W. Grant, and the grandson and great-grandson of physicians in the Grant family. Dr. James W. Grant was a native of Scotland, who came to Amer- ica as a boy with his parents, and after many years in Iowa came to Texas in the pioneer days, prac- ticing general medicine, with all this term implies, at Cypress, in Harris County, and specializing in much and hard work. Dr. Elmore Ellsworth Grant was reared in Harris County, attending the public schools, and early formed the ambition to succeed his father. He received his medical training at the University of Louisville, taking his degree in 1890, and after a year spent in clinical and hospital work returned to Harris County, taking over his father's practice. After twenty-two years at Cypress Dr. Grant came to Houston, in 1911, and established his practice here, engaging in general practice, and during the two decades following was one of the leading physicians of the city. Interested in medi- cal advancement and the improvement of medical standards, Dr. Grant, with other progressive physi- cians, organized the Harris County Medical Society, of which Dr. Grant was a charter member, and dur- ing those early years when this society was being built up he was a leader in the work of developing it into an organization that has since played an important part in the advancement of Houston as a medical center. Dr. Grant also took a deep interest in educational work, especially in the development of the rural school system, and was the sponsor of many important development movements in Harris County for the improvement of the school system. He gave twenty years to constructive educational work, serving on the School Board during that time, and although himself a heavy tax payer he voted and fought for all issues that were planned for the improvement of the schools. At the time of his death he was President of the County School Board, and this organization lost one of its most courageous workers in his death.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 69

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