New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 73

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).

Mr. Gorman was born in Massachusetts in 1880, son of the late James Gorman, a carriage and wagon manufacturer, who spent his life in that State. Mr. Gorman received his education in the public schools of his native State. At the age of seventeen he went to New York City, where he began his busi- ness career in a millinery store. His first position being in charge of the window displays, and later in other departments. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was for four years in a millinery store. This was followed by a year at Kansas City, at the expiration of which time he came to Houston. His first two years in this city were with the W. C. Munn Company as manager of the millinery depart- ment, which position he resigned in 1919 to open his own establishment.

Mr. Gorman was married in Ohio to Miss Marian Spresser, a native of that State. Mr. Gorman was a member of the Kiwanis Club and of the Elks, be- longing to order No. 151, Houston.

With the passing of Mr. Gorman on June 3rd, 1925, Houston lost one of its most public spirited citizens, and the business world lost one of its lead- ing members. Always ready and willing to lend his aid to any good cause, he will be long remem- bered as the sterling type of citizen.

MILE SIMMLER .- The name of Emile Simmler, pioneer of the pioneers, recalls that period of the history of Houston, when this city was but a small village of a few inhabitants. To this village, so small indeed, that Mr. Simmler could not follow his profession of mu- sic teaching, came this venerable and honored pioneer in 1839. Born in the village of Mulhouse, France, July 6th, 1816, he grew up in that country, but in 1837, came to America. He landed first at New Orleans, and for two years taught music there, then came to Houston, in 1839. He was perhaps one of the very first manufacturers, of a commer- cial commodity, to launch a business in this little village. Looking about him for a means of livelihood to take the place of the music lessons he had hoped to give, he was struck with the possibility of mak- ing mattresses from the moss that grew in such abundance in the adjoining woods. Experimenta- tion followed, with the working out of a method of operation, at once simple, as befitted the times, and satisfactory. This consisted of digging holes in the earth in which he placed the black moss as he took it from the trees for a curing process. After leav- ing it in the ground for a time he took it up and found it made an ideal filler for his mattresses. As the people began to come to the village and to set- tle in this section of the state, the demand for these mattresses grew, and he soon had a flourishing business. He also supplied many of these moss mattresses for the steamships that were being out- fitted. During these years his wife, like the true helpmate of pioneer days, assisted him in every way possible, and made quilts to sell with the mat- tresses to the new comers.

After a number of years thus spent Mr. Simmler went to Austin County and opened a store for Wil- liam Rice which he operated for some time. He then returned to Houston and resumed his mattress making. Mr. Simmler also took an active part in the development of the young community, helping to put Houston on its present high plane. He was elect- ed notary public and squire, and was at one time commissioner for the State of Massachusetts. Dur- ing the Civil War he was Consul for France, and held other public offices, retaining the confidence of the people throughout a long and useful life.

He helped build the first Masonic Lodge of Tex- as, located at Houston, Holland No. 1, and in order to furnish the new lodge brought from his home carpets and furnishings.

While on the boat coming to America the young Emile Simmler met Miss Catherine Rupp, who be- came his bride on landing at New Orleans, in 1837. She was a native of Bavaria in which country she was born the twelfth of August, 1815. Throughout their married life she was a wonderful companion and helpmate, inspiring her husband in all his under- takings, and lending her sympathy when the dark hours came. To this union were born seven chil- dren, Emile, whose death occurred in California, John Henry, deceased, who had three daughters; Alfred, deceased, Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, who died in Houston, March 6th, 1925, at the age of eighty-four; Catherine, deceased, who married the late Henry Baldinger, who was a promi- nent business man of Galveston, and there are four surviving children of this union, Alfred, who is married to Miss Edith Hyde; Miss Catherine, and

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Susie, wife of W. A. Spoor, and who has three chil- dren; Amelia, Caroline and Mary who is deceased. Mr. Simmler died at the old home place on Prairie Avenue, in 1879, at the age of sixty-three. Mrs. Simmler continued to make her home in the old homestead until her death, at the age of seventy- three, in 1888.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Simmler gave to the young community of which they became members, an in- terest and earnestness of purpose that made their lives an inspiration to all who knew them. Mrs. Simmler not only mothered her seven boys and girls, but loved all the children of the community and took an active interest in their lives. Mr. Simmler, by devoting himself to an industry that was of real worth to his fellow citizens, lent his aid in the devel- opment of the village until it became a city, and is honored as a pioneer, not only of Houston, but of Texas.

M ICHAEL C. LYONS was for a period of for- ty years an active figure in the business circles of Houston, Texas, where he was en- gaged in the retail grocery business prac- tically all of this time. In his chosen field of activ- ity Mr. Lyons was successful and was held in the highest esteem by his customers and competitors alike. He aided Houston in her growth to the mag- nificent city she is today, taking a leading part in every project for the advancement and progress of this city. Mr. Lyons was known as one of the Mag- nolia City's most charitable men-never failing to assist the poor and needy and it is known among his intimate friends that many came to him for aid. For two decades he owned and operated a grocery store at the corner of Conti and Hardy Streets, but his friends and customers were not confined to that portion of the city, but were in all parts of Houston.

A native of Ireland, Mr. Lyons was born at Caven on January 5th, 1870. His father, Michael Lyons, and mother, Mrs. Susan (Cusiack) Lyons, were both natives of the Emerald Isle and died in their native land. Mr. Lyons' early education was obtained in Ireland, but after coming to America and Texas he attended for a period of four years the St. Mary's School of San Antonio.

Mr. Lyons was married at Houston, Texas, on April 20th, 1897, to Miss Elizabeth Browne, a daugh- ter of John T. Browne of Houston, who was one of the city's best known and most prominent citizens. Mr. Browne served with distinction for two terms as mayor of Houston and served as state representa- tive for two terms and his regime as a member of this body is shown by the various measures which he fathered, to be an important one. In addition to his splendid career in the political annals of his city and state, Mr. Browne was for many years a leading wholesale and retail merchant of Houston. He was a native of Ireland but was brought to America and to Houston by his parents when five years of age. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lyons, ten girls and one boy. Jane, now the wife of T. J. Kornmeyer of Houston; Sudie, married to Wm. Reardon of Houston; Margaret, now the wife of E. D. Colleraine of Galveston; Alice, Elizabeth, Helen, Katherine, Madeline, Loretta, Winifred and Michael C. Lyons, Jr. The Lyons home is at 1902 Providence Street, where Mr. Lyons died on Decem- ber 20th, 1924. Always occupying a place of lead- ership in the business and civic life of his city on

which indelibly he left the seal of his usefulness. Mr. Lyons was a consistent member of the Catholic Church and was active in all church matters.

Mrs. Elizabeth Lyons has since the death of her husband been successful in conducting the grocery establishment. It is said by the friends of Mr. Lyons that his loyalty to a friend was a shining and beautiful example of his most intimate life and this will ever live as a monument to his memory.

UDWIG SCHARCK, for upwards of four decades an influential figure in the life of Houston, and veteran cafe and restaurant man, has always been foremost in civic ac- tivities, taking a great interest in the development of his community, and winning the highest esteem of his fellowmen. Mr. Scharck first entered the cafe business in 1885, when he opened a small restaurant in the Old Casino. In the early days he also owned and operated the Texas Bar, a partnership with Mr. Butler, under the firm name of Scharck and Butler. Later he opened Scharck's Cafe, opposite the Court House. This cafe was for many years noted for its exceptionally well prepared foods, and many famous dishes found place on the menus. Mr. Scharck re- tired from business in 1918, closing his cafe interests at that time. He has, however, extensive property interests in Houston, owning the Scharck Apart- ments and a number of city lots, as well as residence property.

Ludwig Scharck was born in Friedland, Germany, the twenty-seventh of November, 1859, son of Henry Scharck, a Forest Officer in Germany. He attended the schools and gymnasiums of his native country, acquiring a splendid education, and after leaving school came to the United States, in 1881. He stop- ped first in Chicago, then in St. Louis, and after a few months in those cities, came on to Houston.

Arriving in Houston Mr. Scharck first went to work for Mr. Hamilton, in the ice factory, a primi- tive plant, and spent several months there. Then he went with Alfonse Stude, with whom he remained four years, after which he went into business for himself. During the first few years of Mr. Scharck's residence at Houston, when he was learning Amer- ican, or rather Texas, ways, he attended night school, studying English, and equipping himself for a real place in the business world of his adopted city. In those first few years he also found adventure, and in a famous encounter with a noted "bad man" of the day, wherein the latter endeavored to force him- self into Mr. Scharck's place of business, he came out the winner, evicting the intruder, and throwing him head-first in the mud. This brought Mr. Scharck quite into the limelight, for this was the only time on record when Ben Thompson had been successfully opposed.

In 1885 Mr. Scharck went into business for him- self, opening a restaurant in the old Casino, and later establishing the place opposite the Court House, which he operated until his retirement from busi- ness. Mr. Scharck took a great interest in the de- velopment of Houston, investing from time to time in real estate here, and still has valuable property in the city.

Ludwig Scharck was married at Houston the four- teenth of February, 1886, to Miss Emily Ries, who came to Houston from Germany as a child of eight years, and was reared in this city. Mr. and Mrs.

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Scharck had a family of four children, three daugh- ters, Elsa, Anna and Hildegarde, and a son, Adolph, who was with Anderson-Clayton Company in the cotton business, in charge of their insurance depart- ment prior to his death the seventh of November, 1922. He was highly regarded by his firm, and when he was stricken with his fatal illness they furnished a special train to take him where he could receive the best medical attention, but without avail. Before going with Anderson-Clayton Company, he was in the office of the City Comptroller, where he also made an exceptional record. Mr. Scharck lives at 2003 Leeland Avenue. He has with the exception of several months spent in West Texas, in search of health, and a trip to Europe with his family in 1907, made Houston his home since coming here in 1881. Mr. Scharck is a member of the Houston Turnverein, the Houston Saengerbund Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Sons of Hermann, of which he is Ex-Grand Lodge Officer. He and his family attend the Lutheran Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. Mr. Scharck has many friends at Houston, and is one of the most honored and respected pioneers of this city, and his activities in promoting civic development rank him among the real builders of his community.

R. THOMAS W. SHEARER came to Texas thirty-eight years ago, bringing with him youth, ambition and a determination to make a success in his profession. He first settled in Chambers County, where he practiced for twenty years. Dr. Shearer was a familiar figure on the country roads of Chambers County, quick to heed the call of duty, carrying relief from pain to all parts of the county in fair weather and in foul. If the roads were impassable for his buggy, he saddled his horse and carried on, never failing a suffering patient. For the past eighteen years he was a resident and practicing physician and sur- geon of Houston. During his residence in Cham- bers County he was for ten years the only physician in the county, and it was necessary for him to make long rides to attend the sick and many days he would ride on horseback as much as seventy-five miles. For twelve years he served as treasurer of Chambers County, and took an active interest in the general welfare of this section of the state. He was the organizer of the Old River Rice Canal, and for two years was the sole owner of it. For years he experimented with various crops on the Shearer home place, and demonstrated how agri- culture could be improved in his county.

Dr. Thomas W. Shearer was born August 25th, 1856, in Janesville, Wisconsin, son of Robert B. and Elizabeth (McDougal) Shearer. His early educa- tion was received in the schools of Janesville, Wis- consin, and Ames, Iowa. He was a graduate of the Iowa State College, taking the B. A. and M. S. degrees. His M. D. degree was given in 1884 by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, now the University of Illinois. During summer vacations from medical college he was an assistant in chemistry at the Iowa State College. From 1884 to 1887 he practiced medicine at Des Moines. Dur- ing this time he was state chemist and professor of chemistry and toxicology at the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons of Des Moines, which is now part of Drake University.

Dr. Shearer was married to Miss Hannah Hutton,

a native of Windsor, Canada, at Tama, Iowa, on June 17th, 1886. Seven children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Shearer, five sons, T. Rodney Shearer of the United States Marine Corps in Aviation, R. Gerald, R. Bruce, Hutton A., and Ross Sterling Shearer of Houston, and two daughters, Mrs. A. M. Shearer of Chicago and Miss Hannabelle Shearer of Houston. Dr. Shearer was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity of the Iowa State Col- lege, The Harris County Medical Society, The State and American Medical Associations and The Wood- men of the World. The Shearer family attend the Second Presbyterian Church.

Upon the death of Dr. Thomas W. Shearer, May 7th, 1925, Houston suffered the loss of a good citi- zen, and a valued physician. In the hour of greatest happiness or of greatest sorrow, so kind and sym- pathetic was he that his patients loved him as a father. During his long residence here he made a host of friends, and his passing was the cause of much sadness throughout the entire community.

AMUEL L. OLSON is the secretary and treasurer of the Layne-Texas Company, water supply contractors and distributors of the products manufactured by the Layne and Bowler Company, with offices at 6931 Harris- burg Boulevard, Houston. The Layne-Texas Com- pany was incorporated in September, 1923, and is the successor of the Southern Well Drilling Com- pany. It is engaged principally in the development of water supplies from deep wells for municipalities, industrial plants, railroads, plantations, irrigation systems and other similar enterprises. The com- pany has ten rotary drilling rigs equipped with steam power plants and two operated with gasoline engines, and is the largest drilling concern in Texas, employing from fifty to one hundred men all the time. Other officers of the company are E. J. Boyse, president, and W. H. Taylor, vice president.

Mr. Olson is a native of Kansas and was born at Lindsborg on December 10th, 1892, a son of O. A. and Christine (Gelin) Olson. The family removed to Port Lavaca, Texas, shortly after Mr. Olson's birth and he was educated in the public schools there and the high schools at Houston and Mas- sey's Business College. After leaving school, he spent a short time in the cotton business in Hous- ton and six months in the lumber business and in 1910 began work as a driller with the Layne and Bowler Company drilling water wells in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri and Ten- nessee. He remained with this company until 1917 when he enlisted in the army and was assigned to duty with the headquarters company at Camp Travis, remaining there until his discharge as sergeant major, in 1919. After receiving his discharge from the army, Mr. Olson went to Florida, where he was connected with the Gray Artesian Well Company until the formation of the Southern Well Drilling Company in September, 1920, of which he was a partner and manager, continuing in that company until the incorporation of the present company.

Mr. Olson is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine. He is an enterprising, hustling business man who has achieved a splendid success and is a firm believer in Houston as the coming metropolis of the Southwest.

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HARLES A. McFARLAND for a decade and a half was a factor in the amusement world of Houston, having won recognition as a theatre manager who, through his highly successful efforts to provide high class amusements was instrumental in raising existing standards in this field. Mr. McFarland was a manager of four theatres in Houston at the time of his death, namely the Queen, Capitol, Liberty and Prince. To these he devoted his time and efforts in obtaining the best in the amusement world to offer his public. Not only was he a remarkable executive, but he came to be considered an expert in writing advertising copy, in which field he won prizes for his business- getting manuscripts.

Mr. McFarland was born at White Hall, Illinois, the thirteenth of March, 1883, son of Hubert L. McFarland, a retail implement dealer of that place, and Mary Jane (Amos) McFarland. He was edu- cated in the public schools of White Hall, and after graduating from the high school there, entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, Illinois. He spent several years in the hotel business and playing base- ball in the minor leagues. In 1900 he became one of the staff pitchers with the St. Louis National League Baseball Club. During the six years he played with this team, and about one year with the Pittsburgh Nationals Mr. McFarland won a world- wide reputation as an athlete. After a short time spent with the Oklahoma City Club as manager, he came to Fort Worth as manager of the Majestic Theatre. In 1907 he came to Houston and became manager of the old Majestic Theatre, and under his management produced a big business and was instrumental in building the new Majestic, in 1910. He was manager of this theatre until 1913, when he became manager of the Southern Enterprise theatres in this city, a position he held for a dec- ade, during which time he won the reputation of being one of the best theatre managers in Texas. For a short time after coming to Houston he man- aged the Houston ball team, and for a time served as manager of the Auditorium for the City of Houston.

Mr. McFarland was married in St. Louis, Mis- souri in 1899 to Miss Nettie Hocking, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hocking. Mrs. McFarland died when their two children, Jean and Marjorie, were small and Mr. McFarland devoted his life to their careful rearing and education. Today they are accomplished musicians and are still studying their respective instruments, Miss Jean the violin cello, and Miss Marjorie the violin. At the time of Mr. McFarland's death one of the local papers said, "To most of the picture-going public and to many friends who knew him casually C. A. McFarland was a clever showman, who anticipated the wants of a fickle public. This he was. But to those who were closely associated with him there was another man, and another character. The man whom few knew because although a sentimentalist at heart, he never expressed that side of his nature; in his home life he lived it. Back in 1911, after a lingering ill- ness, a wife left him with two golden-haired little girls. Their life became his very existence. They read, played and studied together. The happy little family of three lived at 503 Sul Ross Avenue almost since the children's kindergarten days. The close friends of the family have often said that

he filled the gap left by the death of their mother, and as a father he dedicated his life to Marjorie and Jean. Their friends are as numerous as his own."

Mr. McFarland was a member of the Elks Lodge, the Rotary Club, Salesmanship Club and the River Oaks Country Club. Upon the death of Charles A. McFarland, December 14th, 1924, Houston lost a beloved and respected citizen, less one who was always ready and willing to help in any cause for the advancement of his city. His friends were numbered by the hundreds, to the most intimate of whom he was lovingly known as "Chappie" Mc- Farland.

G. THAYER for two decades has been rated as the foremost Bandmaster at Hous- ton, taking a recognized place among the musicians of the city, and securing for his audiences the best orchestral and band entertain- ments available. Mr. Thayer is the owner of Thay- er's Military Band, which has been under his direc- tion since its organization, and which is one of the finest military bands in this section. He is also band instructor and director of the Texas Company's Employees Band, a fifty-piece band, and one of the finest in Houston, supported and operated by the Texas Company. This band is in constant demand and the performances, under the direction of Mr. Thayer, show great artistry. They give numbers at conventions, public entertainments, and on other occasions, and have a large repertoire. Mr. Thayer also directs Thayer's Band and Orchestra, with thirty-five pieces, and Thayer's Orchestra, a highly trained orchestral company of fifteen pieces.

H. G. Thayer was born at Camden, New Jersey, the twenty-fifth of July, 1869, son of J. S. and Jane Thayer, who now make their home in Dallas. Mr. Thayer was educated in the Philadelphia public schools, graduating from the high school there, after which he began the development of a talent for music evident from childhood. He attended the Philadelphia Musical Academy for four years, under Gustav Hille, following this with three years at the Chicago Auditorium Conservatory of Music, under Ericco Sansone and Walter Booth. He then went on the road as a leader of band and orchestras for twelve years, attaining a high reputation for his work as a band leader. In 1904, on account of ill health, he came to Houston, and has made this city his home since, taking an active part in public and professional music as a band and orchestra leader. During the World War he was at the Officers Train- ing School, at Camp Stanley, where he organized and led a forty-piece band until the armistice.

Mr. Thayer was married at Houston in 1907, to Miss Mary Isabelle Caylat, daughter of Judge Cay- lat, of New Orleans, and Lucy Caylat. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer make their home at 1106 Bremond Avenue, and have one child, Justin Caylat Thayer. Mr. Thayer is a member of the Texaco Club and the Houston Music Council, and takes an active part in the work being done by both these organizations. Fraternally he is an Elk and a Knight of Pythias, and is well known to members of these orders. His record as a band master, a work for which he is splendidly equipped, has made him known not only in Houston, but in this entire section, and few bands in this section are in greater demand than those di- rected by him.

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OHN W. HARRIS, attorney and manager of the Harris Estate, founded by his grand- father, has been a resident of Galveston all his life except the time spent at col- lege and in the service of his country during the World War. The office of Mr. Harris is at 206 Trust Building and while he was admitted to the bar in 1920 he was never engaged in active practice, the management of his estate requiring all his time and attention.

The Harris estate was founded in the early days of Texas by J. W. Harris, grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, who died while the estate was still largely in an undeveloped condition. The work of development was taken over then by his son, J. W. Harris, father of John W., who succeeded in putting it on a paying basis.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 73

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