New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 8

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

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The true type of city builder, Mr. Ogden had while promoting his own interests, developed them along lines consistent with the advancement of Beaumont. Mr. Ogden was a Blue Lodge Mason, taking a deep interest in this order, and had many friends at Beaumont who found him a friend, a sterling citizen, and a man whose death left vacant a place in the life of the community.

RLO GEORGE GREEVES. The name of Orlo George Greeves figures prominently in business and civic activities at Beaumont, during a period covering more than a dec- ade, when he was a factor not only in industrial circles, as head of a large oil well supply house, but also in civic affairs, giving a large part of his time to constructive work in this field. During those years Mr. Greeves demonstrated a business ability which made him a leader among the business men of the city and resulted in the building of an enter- prise of vital importance to the prosperity of Beau- mont. He was also keenly awake to his duties as a citizen and took a deep interest in all activities which had to do with the progress of the city.

Orlo George Greeves was a native Texan, born in Orange the twenty-eighth of August, 1886. His

father, Orlo Bruce Greeves, a Canadian by birth, came to Texas locating first at Orange, where he spent a number of years, and later removing to Beaumont in the late nineties, his death occurring there. The subject of this sketch attended the pub- lic schools of Beaumont and later went with his father in the iron foundry business, receiving his early business training under him. After a number of years with his father, during which time he became thoroughly familiar with every phase of the foundry business, he made the decision to enter business for himself, establishing, in 1910, the Neches Supply and Equipment Company, of which he was president and manager until his death. Mr. Greeves watched this business grow and develop under his constructive and progressive methods, un- til it became one of the largest oil well and oil re- finery supply houses in South Texas.

This business, managed today by his widow, is a monument to the vision of its founder, and the concrete evidence of his executive ability. The com- pany today handles mostly refining equipment, iron castings, steel rails, steel of all kinds, fire brick air tools, etc., and salesmen cover the Gulf Coast and Mexico. Offices are located in the Kyle Theatre Building, Beaumont.

Mr. Greeves was married at Beaumont the eighth of September, 1908, to Miss Zilpah Bushea, a native of Waco. Mrs. Greeves was the constant companion of her husband during his lifetime, taking a deep interest in his career. Since his death she has taken over the management of the Neches Supply and Equipment Company, continuing it along the same progressive lines mapped out by her husband, and has developed into one of the leading business women of Beaumont. She has an executive ability unusual in a woman, and directs her affairs along efficient lines favorable to expansion and develop- ment. Mrs. Greeves erected the Orlo Terrace, one of the exclusive apartment houses in Beaumont, lo- cated at 2209 Calder Avenue. This beautiful struc- ture occupies two and a half lots and his eight apart- ments, each of six rooms and beautifully finished with many unusual features. This achievement further marks Mrs. Greeves as a woman of business talents, and is a contribution to the city.

Mr. Greeves' death occurred the nineteenth of De- cember, 1920, as the result of an accidental gun shot wound received while hunting in company with a life long friend. He was a member of the Country Club, the Beaumont Club, the Neches Club, the Round Table Club of which he was a past president, the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce and of other civic organizations. He served as a di- rector of the Texas National Bank. As a sportsman he was well known in Texas and for two years he was president of the Beaumont Baseball Associa- tion. His death, coming at the zenith of a career of real achievement, was untimely and a distinct loss not only to the business world at Beaumont, but to the State in general, and to his many friends in all parts of the State who knew and admired him for his many outstanding qualities. A man of highest integrity and sterling qualities of citizen- ship he was able to influence to a marked degree the trend of progress in Beaumont and the name of Orlo George Greeves will ever be associated with the progress of this city during those years when his interests were interwoven with those of the city.

1085

MEN OF TEXAS

UDGE EDMOND A. McDOWELL, whose name is honored at Beaumont as a lawyer and jurist who for more than two decades has occupied a high place in the confidence of the people, was at various times called upon to fill positions of public trust wherein he has demon- strated an official and judicial ability and a devotion to the best interests of the community which won the highest approval. Judge McDowell served as judge of the Sixtieth District Court, to which position he was appointed in June, 1915, by Governor Fer- guson, which office he held until his death, April 14, 1924. After his appointment he was elected by the people twice to this judgeship. He had under his jur- isdiction both civil and criminal cases in Jefferson County, and the wisdom of his decisions and the capable manner in which he dispatched the duties of his judicial office met with the approval of both bench and bar. Judge McDowell took an active in- terest in politics and was one of the leading political factors in this county. Just prior to his appoint- ment to the judgeship he served as a member of the legislature in 1914 and 1915, and during that time influenced much of the important legislation.

Judge McDowell was born in Amite County, Mississippi, the eighteenth of December, 1857, the son of Thomas H. McDowell, also a native of that county, and a farmer and land owner there until his death in 1898, and Lethea (Lea) McDowell. He spent his boyhood in his native county, attending the schools there, and later entered Mississippi Col- lege at Clinton, Mississippi, where he graduated in 1877 with the B. L. degree. He then entered the University of Virginia, in the law department, and after finishing there came to Liberty, Mississippi, where he began his practice, and where he spent two years. He then came to Texas, going to Gates- ville in 1883, and practicing law there until 1898, at which time he spent two years at his old home in Mississippi, closing his father's estate. On his re- turn to Texas he went back to Gatesville and after two years there came to Beaumont, in August, 1902. During his residence in Gatesville, he served as dis- trict attorney, and as a trustee and and director of the Gatesville Reformatory, a position to which he was appointed by Governor Sul Ross. He became assistant county attorney of Jefferson County in 1903, serving until 1904, after which he entered general practice, in which he engaged until his elec- tion to the legislature in 1914.

Judge McDowell was married in Mississippi in 1880, to Miss Minnie Davis McDowell, whose death occurred in 1898. He was later married the sec- ond time, in Mississippi, to Mrs. Laura Banks Fer- guson in 1899. Mrs. McDowell resides in Beaumont, where her son, Dr. Edward C. Ferguson, is num- bered among the leading medical men. Judge Mc- Dowell was an Odd Fellow. There were few civic events of importance in which Judge McDowell did not take an interest during his residence in Texas, and he was one of the most honored men of Beau- mont, and as a lawyer and judge attained a distinc- tion of which his many friends and family are justly proud.

LFRED T. WEBSTER, for thirty-six years a citizen of Galveston was a well known business man and lover of the fine arts. At the time of his death, May 16th, 1924, he had retired from active participation in business af-

fairs. Mr. Webster started his active business career with the Central and South American Telegraph Company in Panama in 1882, and remained there several years. During this period he made fre- quent trips to the South American countries in con- nection with his work. He came to Galveston in 1888 with the All American Cables, Inc., as oper- ator. He worked for a number of years under Mr. R. L. McCann, whom he succeeded as general man- ager in 1909. Later he was appointed traffic con- troller of the company, having jurisdiction over the entire system from Galveston to Panama. Mr. Web- ster was compelled to retire from active duty in 1921 due to failing health, and after a lapse of eight months decided to retire permanently on a pension. Mr. Webster was much thought of by the officials of his company and was considered as one of their ablest executives. The Galveston offices were recog- nized as being among the most important operated by this company.

Mr. Webster was born in London, England, Aug- ust 29th, 1864, but was brought up in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he also received his education, Edin- burgh being one of the world's famous seats of learning. His father, Oswald Webster, was a pioneer in the British postal service, and was for many years telegrapher to the late Queen Victoria at Balmoral Castle, Scotland. Mr. Webster's mother was a mem- ber of a famous Scotch family of historical note, being a sister of John Kinross, composer of much of Scotia's stirring music. It was probably from this branch of the family that he inherited his love for the finer things of life, being himself an artist of some ability, though he only painted pictures to satisfy his desire for expression rather than as a commercial venture.

He was united in marriage at Galveston, Texas, to Miss Jeanne Keenan, a native of Galveston. Her father, Michael J. Keenan, was born in Enniskillin, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1844 when six months old, settling in New Orleans, Louisiana. His cousin was Nancy Armstrong, famous in the his- tory of Ireland, and who lived until she was one hundred and twenty years old. From New Orleans he came to Galveston in 1864, going with the Galves- ton City Railroad. He built the Market Street Line when only nineteen years old. He retired one year ago, having been general superintendent for this company for twenty-four years. In addition to his work in Galveston he has built railroads in various parts of the country, principally California. Her mother was Fannie Ward Sadler, a native of New Orleans and a member of a well known Louisiana family. She died over three years ago. There was one child born of the union, a boy, Alfred Reginald.

Mr. Webster was very much interested in the de- velopment of the Art League in Galveston, and was responsible for bringing to Galveston exhibits from the largest museums and art galleries in the country. He was a member of the New York Water Color Club. His own work as an artist was recognized and ranked as being in the professional class. For many years he was chief of the Clan McAlpine, a local Scottish society. He was an unassuming gen- tleman of splendid character and his life was an in- spiration to those with whom he came in contact, and as one of his intimate friends said, "No more fitting eulogy could be made of him than to say he was a good man, a good husband and a good father.

1086

E. C. M Dowell.

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

P. WALLACE, one of the most prominent lumbermen of Southeast Texas, and one of the most constructive business men of Grayburg, has for around two decades been identified with commercial and civic activities in- cident to the development of this town. Mr. Wallace is treasurer and general manager of the Thompson and Ford Lumber Company, one of the larger lum- ber companies of the Lone Star State, and one hold- ing extensive timber interests near Grayburg. These interests include around one hundred thousand acres of cutover timber land, with an additional twenty- five thousand acres of timber to be cut, and a com- pletely equipped mill, located at Grayburg. The company has their own dry kiln, planing mill, and other equipment, with a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five thousand feet of lumber daily, which is shipped from Grayburg in wholesale lots. A force of around four hundred operatives are employed, who make their home at Grayburg. This town was established by the Thompson and Ford Lumber Com- pany in 1907, as a lumber camp, and was incor- porated one year later. Since that time it has de- veloped along progressive lines until it is a village of some three hundred residences, owned by the lumber company, and has its own stores, postoffice, mayor and other officials. The officers of the Thompson and Ford Lumber Company are: J. W. Reynolds of Houston, president; N. P. Sanderson of Texarkana, vice president, and W. P. Wallace, the subject of this sketch, treasurer and general man- ager. Mr. Wallace is one of the most experienced lumbermen of the State, thoroughly familiar with all phases of the industry, and has been in charge of the Thompson and Ford Company for many years, directing all operations, and developing the company to its present state of expansion. Mr. Wallace is also vice president of the William Graydon Hard- wood Company of Grayburg; president of the Wal- lace Brothers Lumber Company of Kyle, and a di- rector of the Doucette Lumber Company, at Hull.

Mr. Wallace was born at Schulenburg, Texas, the seventh of March, 1875. His father, H. C. Wallace, one of the pioneer lumbermen of the Lone Star State, was a factor in the lumber business at Kyle, Texas, for forty years, and took a prominent part in the development of that town. His mother was Mrs. Julia L. Wallace. Mr. Wallace attended the schools near his home, later entering Southwestern University, at Georgetown, where he finished his education. Returning to Kyle he was in the lumber business with his father for five years, after which he went to Trinity County, where he engaged in the saw mill business for eight years. He then went with the Thompson-Tucker Lumber Company, which later became the Thompson-Ford Company, and has since been associated with the development of this company.

Mr. Wallace was married at Fort Worth, Texas, to Miss Mary Randal. They have four children- Thomas, William, Martha and Mary-and reside at Grayburg. The family attend the Methodist Church, Mr. Wallace being a steward in the church. He is a Mason, Scottish Rite, and a member of El Mina Temple Shrine at Galveston. Mr. Wallace has been especially interested in educational matters for many years, and as president of the Board of Trus- tees of the Sour Lake schools has done much to improve the school system. He is also deeply in-

terested in civic affairs, and has done much to pro- mote the development of Grayburg, and to make it a desirable residence city. Few lumbermen of the State are better equipped than he to hold a re- sponsible position in the lumber business, and as a lumberman he is held in highest esteem by his as- sociates.

R. NORVELL, president of the American National Bank of Beaumont, has been a resident of Beaumont for about forty-five years, and has taken an active part in the growth and development of this leading city of Southeast Texas. The American National Bank is one of the strongest banks of Texas, and its officers and directors are made up of a group of leading citizens of Beaumont and South Texas. The bank has a capital and surplus of six hundred thousand dollars, with deposits of about five million dollars. It was organized in June 1901, and re-organized in 1902. Mr. J. P. Withers was one of the organ- izers, and the first president of the bank. In 1902, Mr. Norvell became president, and has occupied this position creditably since that time.

B. R. Norvell was born in Burtville, Newton Coun- ty, November 24th, 1865, the son of William, and Leonora Jane (Swearinger) Norvell. William Nor- vell lived for many years in Jasper County where he was a pioneer, and for many years he was in the mercantile business in Burtville, Texas. The boy- hood of Mr. Norvell was spent in work on a farm. In 1881 he came to Beaumont, and up until 1902 was engaged in the lumber business. He worked his way up in this field of endeavor, and has done practically all of the work required in the saw mill business except as sawyer and logger. For many years he was vice president and treasurer of the Keith Lum- ber Company, one of the leading concerns of Texas. It will be remembered that the Keith Lumber Com- pany sold its mills and timber to the Voth Lumber Company. It is, however, still engaged in the wholesale lumber business. For many years Mr. Norvell was also a director in the Industrial Lumber Company, but has not been active since engaging in banking.

On April 26th, 1895, Mr. Norvell was married in Staunton, Virginia, to Miss Aurelia P. McCue, a na- tive of Virginia and a member of an old colonial Virginia family. Mr. and Mrs. Norvell have one daughter, now Mrs. Latta. Mr. Norvell is a mem- ber of the Beaumont, and Beaumont Country Clubs, Elks Lodge, and is a Knight Templar and Shriner of El Mina Temple. He has not confined his interests alone to banking, but has done much for his com- munity in the way of helping enterprises that built the city. He is a director of the Beaumont Hotel Company, which he aided materially in financial matters. He is a director and treasurer, and chair- man of the finance committee of the San Jacinto Life Insurance Company, assisting in financing the San Jacinto Life Insurance Building. He is a di- rector and one of the organizers of the Kirbyville State Bank, and a director of the Gulf Coast Lines. B. R. Norvell has come to be considered the dean of bankers in his section of the state, and is highly regarded and beloved by his associates and those with whom he has had dealings. His name will be recorded in the history of the city as one who has devoted a life time to its progress and growth.

1089

MEN OF TEXAS

OHN C. WARD, pioneer of Beaumont and one of the most honored builders of this city, was actively associated with the life and progress of this Southeast Texas metropolis for more than half a century. His life was dedicated to usefulness and service, and few Texans have been held in higher esteem than John C. Ward. During his business life he was associated with practically every activity whose purpose was for the good of the city, and the development of the natural resources of this section, and few men have done more for the advancement of Beaumont than he.

A native of the Lone Star State, Mr. Ward was born in Titus County the twenty-sixth of December, 1851, son of Andrew Jackson and Nancy (Kelly) Ward. His father, a native of Arkansas who later came to Titus County, removed to Beaumont in 1859, and was one of the pioneer lumbermen of this part of the State. His death occurred in 1867. His mother was also a native of Arkansas. Mr. Ward re- ceived his early education in the schools of Beau- mont, and after finishing his education entered the lumber business with J. G. and George W. Smyth at Smyth's Bluff. He was associated with them for four years, then going with the Beaumont Lumber Company, which also owned the Nona Mills Com- pany, of which Mr. Ward was vice president and manager for a decade. In 1893 Mr. Ward became president of the Beaumont Ice, Light and Refriger- ating Company, taking active charge of the organ- ization. He was president until 1903, when he re- signed, and removed to Waco to educate his chil- dren. He was in Waco until 1909, when he returned to Beaumont and was again made president of the Beaumont Ice, Light and Refrigerating Company. He was also active in the lumber business with J. S. and W. M. Rice at Ward, Louisiana, until 1913, when he became president of the First National Bank, holding this office until 1920, when he re- signed. In 1901 Mr. Ward organized the Keith- Ward Oil Company, of which he was vice president, and which was one of the first companies to operate in Spindle Top, drilling one of the first wells there, which proved to be a gusher. The company operated in the coastal fields until 1908, and was engaged in much development here, and was successful.

Mr. Ward was married at Beaumont, in 1877, to Miss Pickie Kyle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kyle. Mrs. Ward's death occurred in 1884. On De- cember 15, 1885, he was married for the second time, to Miss Belle Carroll, daughter of J. A. Carroll, a lumber man of Beaumont, and Martha (Long) Carroll. Mr. Ward had a family of eleven chil- dren: Wesley Kyle, John C., Jr .; J. S. and J. D. deceased, by the first marriage; H. L., Carroll, King, Mena, Seawillow, Alma and Emma Ward, by the second marriage. The Ward home at 1685 Park Street, is one of the finest in the city and has al- ways been the seat of a gracious hospitality. Mr. Ward was a Master Mason for almost half a cen- tury, having been made a Master Mason in 1875, and was one of the most honored members of this order. He was a member of both York and Scottish Rites, and of El Mina Temple Shrine at Galveston. He was a member of the Beaumont Club, and also of the Port Arthur Tarpon Club. He was a lover of out-door sports and many happy hours were spent by him at Port Arthur, one of the best known tar-

pon fishing resorts on the coast.

With the passing of John C. Ward on October 20, 1924, Beaumont and the State of Texas, lost one of the most valued and public spirited citizens. Dur- ing the half century of his active association with the business world of Beaumont, there was associ- ated with his name an integrity and business honor that was a factor in the success of his many enter- prises. His business policies were at all times con- servative, and his investments all of a sound and substantial character. A man of distinguished ap- pearance who had lived his life for the good of others, he was known and loved throughout the en- tire community, and his death was the cause of much deep and sincere sorrow wherever he was known.

APTAIN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN STER- LING. The founder of the Sterling family in Texas was Captain Benjamin Franklin Sterling, who for seventy years was num- bered among the hardy pioneers who blazed the way for the present generation. His children and grandchildren have taken a conspicuous part in the growth and development of the various communities in which they reside. The Sterling family is an unusual one, all members of which are not only successful in their various fields of activity, but are numbered among the finest type of the citizen- ship of Texas.

Captain Sterling was born in Mississippi in 1831, and as a boy came to Texas in the late forties, locating at Liberty. He engaged in manufacturing and building here before the Civil War. When the war came he organized the first company that left Liberty County for the front. He was commissioned as first lieutenant in the company of which his wife's uncle, King Bryan, was captain. He did not go with this company, however, but soon or- ganized another company, which as captain he took to war and served in Waul's Texas Legion. He was an intimate friend of General Sam Houston and, like him, was against secession, but fought for the South when the war came. After the war he lo- cated in Chambers County and where he soon be- came one of the leading men of this section of the State. He was active in the social and political matters of the day and engaged in farming, mer- chandising and shipping.

Captain Sterling was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Bryan, a native of Texas and a member of one of the prominent Texas families. The Bryans were of Scotch-Irish descent, and their American ancestors were among the early settlers of Virginia. A member of this family, Luke Bryan, served with distinction in the battle of San Jacinto. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Ross S., Frank P., Mrs. Annie L. Barrow, Miss Florence M., O. Bryan, James B., Al- bert A., John L., Mrs. Cora A. (Mrs. B. F.) Barrow, Mrs. George Koehler and Benjamin G. (deceased).

Captain Benjamin Franklin Sterling passed away in 1917 and Mrs. Sterling in 1888. The name of Captain Sterling and family is indelibly written on the pages of Texas history, and members of the family are destined to play important parts through- out the generations. No finer tribute could be paid to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sterling than to say that they reared a family of children whom they inspired with Christian ideals, and who have emu- lated their parents in clean living, integrity and good citizenship.

1090

Slettand

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

RANK H. CARPENTER, for upwards of two decades one of the leading citizens at Sour Lake, and head of one of the largest finan- cial institutions of the city, is well known in the banking world in Texas. Mr. Carpenter is the president of the Sour Lake State Bank, one of the oldest banking institutions in the city, and the larg- est in point of customers. The Sour Lake State Bank was organized in 1909, it being the outgrowth of a private banking firm established a number of years earlier by Mr. Carpenter and R. S. Sterling, and reorganized in that year, under a state charter. The Sour Lake State Bank, a conservatively and capably directed institution, has at all times en- joyed the highest confidence of the business men of the city, and numbers among its depositors some of the leading individuals and firms here, including many of the oil companies located at Sour Lake. A modern banking home, owned by the bank, and located on one of the leading corners in the busi- ness section, and equipped with the finest fixtures, gives the bank a building in keeping with the pres- tige of the institution, and is a creditable addi- tion to the business center. The Sour Lake State Bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, the surplus and undivided profits running above that figure, and has total assets of around four hun- dred thousand dollars. The officers are: Frank H. Carpenter, president; Tom F. Cruse, vice president; M. E. Pivoto, vice president; W. Z. Trotti, cashier, and Mrs. Lena Trotti, assistant cashier, with Harold D. Carpenter, Frank H. Carpenter, W. Z. Trotti, T. F. Cruse and M. E. Pivoto as directors.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 8

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