New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 82

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

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Mr. Lawson came to San Antonio in 1902, and for two decades was with the Alamo Iron Works where he had a thorough training in this industry, working in every department. When the Alamo Iron Works opened the Alamo Steel and Supply Company at Houston, in 1922, Mr. Lawson was made manager of the new business, which position he has since held.

Mr. Lawson was married at San Antonio, in 1911, to Miss Mignonette Kuhn, daughter of Jacob Kuhn, retired capitalist, who came to that city some fifteen years ago from St. Louis, and who owns San An- tonio business property. Her mother is Mrs. Carrie Kuhn. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson have made their home in Houston since Mr. Lawson's business activities have been centered here, living at 2724 Austin Street. Mr. Lawson is a member of the Houston Club and the Rotary Club. Fraternally he is a Mason, Scottish Rite, San Antonio Consistory No. 5, and a member of Alzafar Temple Shrine, San Antonio.

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MEN OF TEXAS

RANK L. BUFORD, since coming to Hous- ton several years ago, has been identified with engineering work, in connection with oil production, and is one of the men quali- fied to speak with authority in this field of engineer- ing. Mr. Buford is chief engineer for the Gulf Pipe Line Company and the Gulf Production Company, a position involving heavy responsibilities and re- quiring an unerring knowledge of all phases of en- gineering. Mr. Buford has in his department, and under his supervision, a force of from thirty to thirty-five trained men, and has charge of the South Texas District and Louisiana, the department han- dling all engineering work, draughting, surveying, field work and like activities in this territory. They also have charge of the mapping and surveying of all lands, leases, pipe lines, drilling locations, and keep all records of the kind and size of pipe used in all lines, both trunk, main, lateral, and gathering lines, and also storage tanks and pump stations. Mr. Buford has a complete set of maps, made under his supervision, covering every detail of this work, and knows, almost down to the last inch of pipe,

every item that has been used in the construction of pipe lines, tankage and pump stations. He gives to the work of his department an enthusiasm that is reflected in the interest taken in the work by each employee, and has proven his ability as an executive and manager, as well as an engineer. Mr. Buford has been with the Gulf Pipe Line Company and the Gulf Production Company since 1913, and has maintained his headquarters at Houston since 1916, with offices in the Gulf Building. He was made chief engineer in 1920, and since being given that position has increased to a marked degree the efficiency of the office and developd his organiza- tion to point of perfection.

Frank L. Buford was born at Beaumont, Texas, the sixteenth of February, 1873, son of Thomas R. and Amanda Kyle Buford. His father, one of the pioneers of the Lone Star State, came here as a boy of sixteen and was a farmer and settler of lands for many years. Mr. Buford was entered in the public schools of Beaumont as a boy and after graduating from the high school there went to Texas A. & M. College for four years, graduating in 1892, with the degree of civil engineer. For the next three or four years he was with the O. B. & K. C. Railroad, handling locating and construction work. The following year he was with the con- struction company handling harbor work on the Gulf, after which he spent one year with the U. S. government department handling coastal survey and harbor work. This was followed by one year with the Texas and New Orleans Railroad, and two years with the Santa Fe Railroad, after which he went in business for himself and handled a general civil engineering business for three years. This was followed by two years in canal and drainage work, and in 1913 he became associated with the Gulf Pipe Line Company and the Gulf Production Company, in the engineering department, and where he is now chief engineer.

Mr. Buford was married at Houston, in January, 1923, to Mrs. Annie Wise Aycock, a native of Louis- iana, and the daughter of a cotton planter of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Buford make their home at the St. James Apartments. Mr. Buford is regarded

as a man of exceptional qualifications for the posi- tion he holds, and is a real authority on oil field engineering. He has had a wide and varied experi- ence, covering the entire field of civil engineering, and is a deep student of this science, keeping apace with all recent developments.

S. CUNY has been engaged in the real estate business in Houston for a number of years and has developed a highly success- ful business in the handling of residence and business property in the city and improved and unimproved farm lands in Harris and adjoining coun- ties. He has recently been specializing in farm lands and is looking forward to a largely increased busi- ness in this line during the next few years as the advantages of South Texas farm lands become more generally known.

With offices located at 619 Chronicle Building Mr. Cuny has a complete organization for the handling of real estate and investments and has a large and increasing clientele. He is prepared to render ex- ceptionally efficient service to his clients and dur- ing the years he has been engaged in business here has handled hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property.

Besides his general real estate business Mr. Cuny is also interested in oil leases and royalties and has been very successful in his ventures in the oil game. The firm of Cuny and Edwards drilled thirteen wells in various coastal fields near Houston and procured some valuable production. He still owns a number of valuable leases.

Mr. Cuny was born at Austin on October 28, 1883, and is a son of the late Captain P. M. Cuny, who was a member of the Twenty-Seventh Texas Legis- lature from Waller County. His father was first married in 1867 to Miss Mary Waller, a daughter of Judge Edwin Waller, and following her death in 1882 he was married again to Miss Sallie Daniel of Sher- man. Captain Cuny enlisted in the Confederate Army when a lad of seventeen and served through- out the war between the States. He died on April 25, 1923. Captain Cuny's father, the grandfather of E. S. Cuny, was a member of the Texas Congress in 1845 and the family has taken a prominent and active part in the political and commercial history of the State.

Mr. Cuny attended the public schools at Austin and Houston and after leaving school began work in the accounting department of the Southern Pacific Railway Company. He continued in railroad work for seven years and then decided to enter the real estate business, which has continued to engage his thought and attention since. Mr. Cuny has been a resident of Houston since 1896, coming here with his parents when a boy thirteen years of age.

On April 9, 1914, Mr. Cuny was married at Hunts- ville, Texas, to Miss Lillian Bush, daughter of Dr. Robert Haynes Bush, one of the pioneer settlers and a well known physician of East Texas. They have one son, Eugene S., Jr. The family home is at 812 Richmond Avenue.

Mr. Cuny is an energetic and progressive type of business man and a consistent booster for Houston. He is interested in any movement for the develop- ment of Houston, especially as a shipping and indus- trial center, and Mrs. Cuny is identified with a num- ber of women's civic organizations.

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Frank L. Buford

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

OSEPH H. RUSSELL, one of the leading electrical engineers of Houston, has been connected with the Gulf Production Com- pany since January, 1921, and has attained a commendable reputation for his efficient manage- ment of the production engineering department of the company. Mr. Russell is assistant superintendent of production for the Gulf Production Co., and has charge of construction for this company. This is one of the most responsible positions in the entire gulf organization, and one requiring a highly specialized knowledge, as well as practical experience in this field. Mr. Russell came with the organization as electrical engineer, and has since that time taken over the general production engineering duties.

Joseph H. Russell was born at Bonham, Texas, the twenty-sixth of July, 1891, the son of J. B. Rus- sell and Lydia (Goodman) Russell. J. B. Russell, a native Texan, is one of the most prominent ranchmen and bankers of Bonham, which has been his home for many years. Mrs. Russell is a native of Virginia. Joseph H. Russell attended the public schools of Bon- ham through high school, afterward entering the University of Texas, in the electrical engineering de- partment, finishing in 1914 with the electrical en- gineering degree. He then came to Houston, going with Stone & Webster, at the time the construction of the Houston & Galveston Interurban was under way. He began at the bottom, working through all departments, to thoroughly familiarize himself with the practical application of electrical engineering. In 1918 he went to Beaumont, with Stone & Webster, as superintendent of the Street Railway System there, and also as superintendent of the Beaumont, Port Arthur Interurban. He remained in that position until returning to Houston in 1921 to go with the Gulf Production Company.

Mr. Russell was married at Galveston, Texas, the seventeenth of November, 1915, to Miss Jeannette Markle, a native of Palestine, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have three children, Carolyn, Jeannette and Joseph Holt Russell, Jr., and reside at 4402 Connor Avenue, Houston.

Mr. Russell is a member of River Oaks Country Club, The Phi Delta Theta, college fraternity, and the Baptist Church.

COTT SHAMBAUGH came to Houston in 1911, and the following year started con- tracting sidewalks and foundations. In 1921 he began the paving business in Hous- ton, and has had a large share of the vast amount of paving done. He is engaged in the contracting of city paving, using concrete and rock asphalt. Mr. Shambaugh has a large new asphalt plant, which is conveniently located at Clay and Dowling Streets, with his office at the same address. He has his own railroad track into his plant. He has five large trucks, four rollers, two mixers, two asphalt plants, being well equipped to do any size paving job. Each year his business has increased steadily since he established it in Houston in 1912.

Mr. Shambaugh was born at Booneville, Iowa, in 1884. His father, A. H. Shambaugh, was a large land-owner and farmer of Iowa. His mother was, previous to her marriage, Miss Mary Jane Scott, a member of a prominent Ohio family. His educa- tion was obtained at Coe College, Iowa, graduating from this institution in the class of 1906 with the Physical Committees of the Y. M. C. A.

B. S. Degree. After leaving college, Mr. Sham- baugh started his business career in the banking business in Iowa and Chicago, where he remained for one and one-half years. He then came to Texas and located at Plainview, and worked for a general contractor, where he remained for three years, and came to Houston in 1911.

Mr. Shambaugh was married in Houston in 1912 to Miss Annie Richie McMullen, a native of the Lone Star State, and a daughter of J. U. McMul- len, of Lufkin, Texas. They have three children- Wilma Jean, Joan and Mary Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Shambaugh reside at 1401 West Alabama Avenue. Mr. Shambaugh holds membership in the Houston Club. He is a staunch and consistent member of the Baptist Church, and is an earnest worker in the interest of the Church. Mr. Shambaugh takes an active interest in all matters having to do with the advancement and progress of Houston, and is active in the business, social and general community life of the city.

RANK E. ZUMWALT, while still a young man, is one of the best known men among the building trades in the City of Houston. Mr. Zumwalt is an architect and structural engineer in the office of Robert J. Cummins, Bank- ers Mortgage Building, and has been identified with the business interests of Houston for the past fifteen years.

Mr. Zumwalt is a native Texan and was born at Hallettsville, Lavaca County, on June 2nd, 1891.

He is a son of Thomas R. and Temperance (Dowl- ing) Zumwalt and inherited a taste for the building game from his father, who is a well known building contractor at Hallettsville. Mr. Zumwalt's grand- father was also a building contractor and the family has been identified with many important building projects in Texas during the past half century.

After attending the public schools and the high school at Hallettsville, Mr. Zumwalt began study- ing architectural engineering under some of the best architects and engineers of the country and soon demonstrated his ability and natural adapta- tion for work of this kind. Coming to Houston he was connected with the firm of Jones and Tabor for three years and then was with H. C. Cooke and Company for two years. During the past de- cade he has been associated with Robert J. Cum- mins. During this time he has made a special study of industrial engineering and has been in responsible charge of the construction of a number of important industrial projects.

In 1914 Mr. Zumwalt was married in Houston to Miss Elizabeth Leo. They have two children, Frank E., Jr., and Elizabeth. The family residence is at 3412 Yupon Drive.

Mr. Zumwalt is a consistent booster for Houston and believes the city is just entering upon the great- est era of prosperity in its history. He believes this to be the logical location for many more large industrial enterprises and expects numbers of them to locate here as the peculiar advantages of the city become more widely known. Mr. Zumwalt takes an active interest in civic affairs and is ever glad to give aid and encouragement to any move- ment for the betterment of the city as a whole. He is a member of the Houston Engineering and Optimist Clubs and is a member of the House and

1601

MEN OF TEXAS

ILLIAM L. THOMAS, prominently identi- fied with petroleum industry in the Lone Star State, has for a number of years made his home at Houston, and is one of the outstanding men in the petroleum field here. Mr. Thomas is Land Commissioner for the Gulf Com- panies, a position he has held since 1910, at which time he began with this company at Beaumont. He had charge of all lands of the Gulf Company, look- ing after all taxes and everything pertaining to the land department, for Arkansas, Mexico and Texas. Later, as the company developed and expanded, his departments were divided and other departments made, with Mr. Thomas as Land Commissioner of the Southern District. He has for many years maintained his headquarters at Houston, with his offices in the Gulf Building here, and has directed the functioning of the land department with a sound knowledge and careful attention to the interests of the company that has been no small factor in com- pany development.

William L. Thomas was born at Mansfield, Louis- iana, the nineteenth of October, 1860. His father, Dr. William G. Thomas, a native of North Carolina, came to Louisiana in the pioneer fifties, later com- ing to Texas, and locating at Marshall, in 1867. Dr. Thomas built up a large practice in that city, and until his death was prominent in medical and civic affairs. His mother, also deceased, was before her marriage, Miss Sallie Littlejohn, of North Carolina. Mr. Thomas attended the public schools of Mar- shall, Texas, and after leaving school began with the private banking institution of Raquet and Fry, of that city. After two years with that institution he began with Emory R. Starr, in the land business. This business, dating back to 1837, when it was es- tablished by James Starr, the father of Emory R. Starr became the largest land company in the entire Southwest, and was known throughout the country for the development and land activities sponsored during those years. After fourteen years with the land company Mr. Thomas went to Austin, Texas, spending three years in the State Treasury Depart- ment. In 1901 he went to Beaumont and engaged in the abstract business, building up a fine and complete plant, and spent many years in that busi- ness. Later he went with the Kirby Lumber Com- pany, doing abstract work for that large company. After several years with the Kirby interests, he went with the Producers Oil Company, in the Land De- partment, until coming with the Gulf Company, in May, 1910, since which time he has had complete charge of the lands owned by the Gulf Company, and has been one of the active men of the organiza- tion.

Mr. Thomas has been married twice, the first time to Miss Emma O. Warren, at Somerville, Tenn., whose death occurred in 1911. This union resulted in two children, both of whom died as infants. Mr. Thomas was married the second time to Mrs. Nora Blanchette Russell, a native of Beaumont, and the daughter of W. V. Blanchette, a pioneer of Beau- mont, one of the prominent men of that city. Mr. Thomas is a man whose business interests and home have claimed his undivided attention, and he has at all times refrained from joining clubs and other or- ganizations. As he often says, he belongs to the "Gulf Company and Mrs. Thomas Club," and de- votes all his time to them. A man of distinguished

bearing, of high mental attainments, and executive ability, he is one of the prominent men in the Gulf Company, and has worked indefatigably for the suc- cess of this company. He counts his friends among the highest executives and humblest employees alike, and is admired by all who know him. Although not actively allied with any civic organization, Mr. Thomas is interested in the development of Hous- ton along progressive lines, and foresees a great future for this city.

OHN C. UNDERWOOD is one of the pio- neers of the oil industry in Texas, having been engaged in this field of activity since oil was discovered in the state, and has done much in developing the fields of South Texas where he is regarded as an expert on oil matters. Mr. Underwood has his office on the third floor of the Prince Building, where he is known as an oil operator. He first became interested in the oil in- dustry at Beaumont, where he was successful in speculations. From the discovery of oil in this field, the thought came to him that oil must be elsewhere in South Texas, and he immediately began securing leases at Columbia, beginning in this field in 1902. The oil business, at that time was new to him as well as to other Texans, and he possessed no con- crete knowledge of this industry, but he studied conditions and acquired a practical knowledge of surface conditions and formations. He sought a lease on what was known as the Varner tract, after which he induced the late Governor James S. Hogg to purchase the same. Among the leases he acquired at Columbia was one known as the Arnold tract, on which gas was escaping from crevices in the ground. He formed a company to drill the Arnold tract, which was known as the Equitable Mining Company, with headquarters at Austin. At a depth of three hun- dred and sixty feet, a good showing of oil was en- countered and again at four hundred and eighty- five feet and the latter depth was developed and marketed as a lubricting oil, but on account of the low prices prevailing at that time, cost of cooper- age and hauling to market, the development of this tract was finally stopped. Mr. Underwood drilled several dry holes in this territory, going to a depth of twelve hundred feet, and his lease was abandoned until in later years when the idea of deeper drilling was established and put into operation, and he has some production there at the present time. Both the Humble Oil Company and the Hyde Production Company drilled on his leases, obtained good produc- tion and he has royalties from these leases. Mr. Underwood operated extensively in the Humble, Sour Lake and Louisiana fields, where he did much drill- ing and development work. He was for a period of four years employed by the Gulf Company as an oil expert, retiring from this position in 1922 in order to enter business for himself as an oil oper- ator. Mr. Underwood is now making preparations to develop a new tract in the coastal fields of Texas.

A native Texan, Mr. Underwood was born at Col- umbia April 4th, 1863. His father, Ammon Under- wood, a native of Massachusetts, was one of the early Texas pioneers and established a mercantile business at Columbia in 1834, and this store is still being operated by Mr. Underwood's brother. His mother, also an early pioneer, was Miss Rachel Jane Carson, a daughter of William Carson, and came to Texas in 1824 and was a child in the first Austin

1602

ML Thomas

GER Oldham

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

colony. Mr. Underwood grew up in his father's store at Columbia, after which he became a mer- chant with his own store and remained in this line of endeavor until he entered the oil industry.

Mr. Underwood was married at Columbia, Texas, in June, 1886, to Miss Lucy Harris, a daughter of H. Harris, who was a well known builder, and Abbie Harris, who came to Texas in 1845. They have five children, Ammon, Harris, John C. Underwood, Jr., Lucy and Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Underwood reside at 4417 Fannin Street. Mr. Underwood is a member of the A. F. and A. M. with membership in St. John's Blue Lodge at Columbia, Texas, where he is also a member of the Chapter. Since coming to Houston in 1905, Mr. Underwood has become inter- ested in many of the city's financial and industrial projects, and believes that Houston will soon take its place as the leading city of the Southwest, and that the development in the city and in South Texas along many lines has just begun.

OREST R. OLDHAM is a pioneer in the oil business where for a score of years he has been active in the several branches of this great industry. Mr. Oldham has since 1917 been purchasing agent for the Gulf Oil Companies, which position requires a real executive to bring results. He is in charge of the purchasing de- partment of the Gulf Companies for Texas, Louis- iana and Mexico. Mr. Oldham came with the Gulf Company at Beaumont in 1907 in the inventory de- partment, where he remained for two years and then went into the purchasing department, first as a clerk, and later was made assistant, and in 1917 was made purchasing agent for Texas, Louisiana and Mexico, which is a responsible position in such a large company, requiring so many things to be pur- chased. Like other Gulf Company men, Mr. Old- ham gives his entire time and thought to the com- pany's interest, and has made a complete success in his line of work. He has worked his way from the bottom to the top in his field and the few years that he spent in the oil fields has been of great assistance to him in handling the business which comes under the jurisdiction of his department. Mr. Oldham's office is at 901 Gulf Building.

A native Texan, Mr. Oldham was born near Pal- estine, October 7th, 1882. His father, Dr. J. R. Old- ham, was one of the most prominent physicians in Anderson County during his time, and died in Bosque County over thirty years ago. His mother was Miss Almeda C. Bussey, a member of a well known Mississippi family. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Waco.

In 1904, Mr. Oldham entered the oil business and from that date to 1907 he was associated with various companies in the Humble field, where he ob- tained his preliminary education in the materials used in an oil field, and how same are used, and, in fact, learned the rudiments of the business, which has helped him in his career with one of the best known and largest oil companies of the Southwest. In 1912 Mr. Oldham was married in Beaumont to Mrs. Myrtle Carter, a native of Milam County, Texas. They have one son, Forest R. Oldham, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Oldham reside at 1211 Miramar Ave- nue, which is in the beautiful Rossmoyne Addition. Mr. Oldham is a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner of Arabia Temple. He is a member of the Houston

Purchasing Agents Association and was president of this organization in 1923. He is also a member of the River Oaks Country Club. Mr. Oldham has made many friends since coming to Houston and is popular with the oil fraternity everywhere he is known, and is considered an expert in his line. He takes an active interest in all forms of clean sport, and is particularly fond of hunting and fishing and spends all his spare time in this pleasure and recrea- tion. He is a firm believer in the future of Houston, and thinks the time is close at hand when this will not only be the oil center of the Southwest, but the leading city in every way.

FRANK HAMMOND is one of the best known men in Houston and Harris County, where, prior to entering the real estate business, he was for five years connected with the police department of Houston, and was for six years sheriff of Harris County. Mr. Hammond is the owner of the M. Frank Hammond Realty Com- pany, with office located at 213 Binz Building. Mr. Hammond, in addition to the handling of real estate of all kinds, deals some in oil leases and royalties. He owns much residence property and valuable farm lands in Smith and Fort Bend Counties, besides his holdings here.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 82

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