USA > Texas > Past history and present stage of development of Texas. Memorial and biographical history matter of the Lone Star state > Part 5
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Mr. W. C. Bnrnett, Tax Assessor, matured to young manbood in the farming community of his birth, and was educated in the public and High schools of Duffau. Excepting nine years,
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he has resided in this county all his life-seven years farming and ranching in Baylor county, West Texas, and two years at Eldorado, Oklahoma. He continued to farm until his election to the office of Tax Assessor in 1908, when he was chosen by the people with a majority of 107 against six opponents in the July primary of 1908-and in the general November election ran nineteen votes ahead of the Democratic ticket, which exceeded the claims of any other candidate in said election. In his candidacy for re-election in 1910 Mr. Burnett had no opposition, which was an eloquent tribute to his sterling worth and an expression of satisfaction of his adminis- tration on the part of the people. Mr. Burnett was married to Miss Martha S. Hale, who was also born and reared in the Duffan neighborhood. They have two sons and three daughters. The Burnett family are all faithful to the Primitive Baptist faith. The taxable valuation of Erath couuty is about $13,000,000 and population is about 40,000.
BEHRENS, Dr. Herman
Dr. Behrens was born in the village of Soehlde, near Hanover, North Germany, Feb. 28, 1852. His father before him was an agricul- turist and proprietor and opera- tor of a chalk factory, and his boy- hood days were spent in the midst of these environments. After finish -. ing at the village schools, he at- tended college at Hildsheim, a town of world-wide fame as the home of the "1,000-Roses Bush in the yard of the Cathedral." At the age of sixteen-in 1868-Dr. Behrens came to America; landed in New York, and went directly to Quincy, Illinois. After residing there for about eighteen months he decided that "the South was the coming coun- try, " and went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was connected with a large wholesale and manufacturing drug house during 1872-3. In 1874 he migrated to Paris, Texas, where, under the firm name of Ruess & Behrens, he was successfully en- gaged in the retail drug line for four years. In 1878 he came to Waco, and re-entered the same line of re- tail trade under the firm name of Behrens & Moser, on Austin avenue, near Fourth street- which proved very successful. In the course of a few years, however, this business was sold out, and Dr. Behrens returned to his native soil of Germany, where he remained for some time. Returning to Waco, he engaged in the retail and wholesale drug business, under the firm name of Behrens & Castles, the junior member of the firm being John W. Castle. The business was originally conducted on Fourth street, in the building now occupied by The Semi-Weekly Tribune, and grew rapidly from the beginning. In 1891 the firm name was dissolved, the Behrens Drug Company was organized, with a capital stock of $75,000, and the present three-story brick structure at 302-312 South Third. street was erected and moved into. So well was the foundation of the business originally laid by Dr. Behrens that it has continued to prosper throughout the intervening years, and at present time-six years after his death-its operation taxes three large building, and its resources has grown from $75,000 capital stock to that of a capital and surplus of $315,000. At an early stage of the house's
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career a laboratory and manufacturing department was added to the business-in addition to carrying all manner of drugs and druggists' sundries on a large scale-and today the manage- ment travel from eight regular, to twenty salesmen, according to season, and its goods are consumed in all parts of the Southern states, New and Old Mexico and Arizona, and shipped to Cuba and South America. All told, the house employs about forty people, and also main- tains an office at 30 Cliff street, New York. The Behrens Drug Company manufacture and put out numerous proprietary medicines, but the leaders, and those that are today more especially sustaining the wide reputation of the house, are as follows: "Oxidine," a specific cure for chills and malaria; "Mrs. McCormick's Beauty Cream," "Patton's Sour Wells Eye Salve, " and "Young's Blackberry Cordial." Upon the death of Dr. Behrens, which oc- curred Dec. 17, 1905, Dr. W. R. Clifton, one of Waco's most cultured, elegant and wealthiest citizens, succeeded to the Presidency of the Behrens Drug Company-be having been one of its charter stockholders and successive officials.
Hence it was, that Dr. Behrens gave to Central Texas its pioneer wholesale and manu- facturing drug establishment, he having been materially assisted from the beginning by F. W. Schumacher, who is, at this writing, manager of the Peruna Medicine Company. Dr. Behrens died in the flower of his usefulness at the age of fifty-three years, of heart trouble, superinduced by pneumonia, and though his sickness covered a period of about eight days, his death came as a severe shock to Waco people, and being a man of exceptionally warm friends throughout Texas they came from all parts of the state to attend his funeral, which was one of the most largely attended in the history of this city. Next to the immediate family, his . death fell hard upon the employees of the Behrens Drug Company, everyone of whom loved him and honored him as they loved and honored no one save their own father. The press of the city and state paid him almost unlimited tribute, and perhaps no man of his acquaintance ever lived in Texas that was so sincerely deserving of the same. Dr. Bebrens led a life of use- fulness in the community. His home was long the center of social activity of the city, in which he was lovingly aided by the consort of his well chosen choice. In social as well as in financial circles, he was a leader in the development and upbuilding not only of Waco, but the state at large as well. He visited the old country during 1874, 1882, 1894 and 1900, and travel gave to his acute mind a broad culture, a jovial demeanor among his friends, and a kindness toward those that were less fortunate in this life than he. He loved humanity, and gave liberally of his means for charity, church and public advancement, and occupied a large and copious place in the history of this city, to which he dedicated his energies and best counsel. He was one of the men who made Waco what it is, and its people would turn to him in time of a crisis. He helped to bring about the Cotton Palace, the Y. M. C. A., the Auditorium and other enterprises, and was the first President of the Business Men's Club- his capacity for work and his unselfish labors along these lines being proverbial and ap- preciated. In the Cathedral of Dresden is the tomb of the architect. On it is the inscription : "If you would know my work, look about you." And so it may be said of Dr Behrens. If you would see his work, look about you in the development of this beautiful city. He has left behind the memory of a man who filled completely the sphere in life opened to him. At the time of his death he was Past Exalted Ruler of the local lodge of' Elks, and was also a promi- nent Knight of Pythias and Mason. The family worship with the Lutheran church.
Dr. Behrens was married to Miss Dorothy Behrens Aug. 20, 1874, the ceremony being solemnized at the old home place in the Fatherland, where Mrs. Behrens was also born and matured to young ladyhood-in same neighborhood of her husband. Two children were born to the union-one daughter, Mrs. Jennie Bruhl, now residing with her mother at the family home, 1829 West Washington street, and one son, who died in infancy at Paris, Texas. Their present elegant home was built by Dr. Behrens when there existed but a few houses in that attractive residential part of the city.
BREECH, Mayor C. W.
Beyond the question of a doubt Cleburne is one of the most prosperous, progressive and modern little cities in the Lone Star State; its aptly platted street system, well shaded lawns and sidewalks, and its innumerable comfortable and palatial homes reflect the culture and
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advancement of its people of about 12,000 souls. It is one of the best lighted towns in Texas, has splendid water and sewer systems, and its retail and wholesale mercantile interests rep- resent the highest order of the day. Supporting these material interests is the immense Santa Fe Railroad shop, employing hundreds of men and a payroll of something like $100,000 per month, and numerous other industrial and manufacturing plants. The new street railway system, with eight miles of track and a modern new park for the pleasure of the people, augments metropolitan life in Cleburne. As the chief magistrate of this model little city too much cannot be said of Mayor C. W. Breech and his progressive administration. This geutle- man was born in Washington county, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1866, and he there grew to young man- hood. His father, J. L. Breech, was born and reared in the Old Buckeye state, where he lived the life of a farmer and died in 1895. His mother was Miss Ellen Stidd, who was born and reared in Ohio, and still resides at the oldl home-place in Ohio.
After having secured a good English education, Mayor Breech began early in life to learn the well drilling business, in which special line he was engaged for a mimber of years, drill- ing for oil, gas and water. He was identified with the oil fields of Washington, Pa .; Eureka, W. Va .; Macksburg, Findlay and Lima, Ohio, and the gas belts of Indiana, around Muncie, and that of Kentucky, south of Louisville. In 1890 he came to Texas and engaged in the water well drilling business-his experiences being at Cleburne, Waco, Taylor, Belton, Bastrop, and for three years operated on the T. & P. railway, between Fort Worth and El Paso. How- ever, Mr. Breech has continued to make his home in Cleburne since he came to Texas in 1890, and in 1893 was happily married to Miss Evangeline Day, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Absalom Day, pioneers in this section of the state. In 1908 Mr. Breech was elected as a member of the Board of Aldermen of Cleburne, and served one term of two years. In 1910 he was chosen Mayor by a flattering majority. He organized the Cleburne Foundry Company, of which he is now President, and this valuable new industry, which began operation Sept. 14, 1910, employs about twenty-five men and is fast extending its trade to distant territory. Also helped to organize the Fort Worth Oil Company, having control of 12,000 acres of prospective oil land near Putnam, in Callahan county, and at this writing the first well is being put down. Mayor Breech is a Director in The Traders' State Bank of Cleburne, and as a Mason is Past Master Cleburne Lodge No. 315; is High Priest Chapter No. 100, and Thrice Illustrious Master Council No. 61. He is a strong believer in the commission form of government, and believes Cleburne will be under this form of administration in 1913. Mayor Breech is a man of at- tractive personality, weighing 296 pounds ; is intelligently progressive as a citizen and Mayor; believes in all modern improvements, and at present time , is interested in getting a more liberal supply of artesian water for his much prided city.
BRUMFIELD, Judge Albert Marion
Judge Brumfield, of Brownwood, enjoys the title at the hands of the people as being the "Father of the Good Roads Movement in Brown county." Up to the time of his becoming County Judge in 1906 there was no sentiment, and there had been no material building of good roads in this county-the people not having become interested in the sub- ject. Through the bonded process of raising funds, there has been spent for good roads to the present writing $130,000, and one hundred miles of macadamized and gravel roads, leading to Brownwood with eight and ten mile distances, have been built. It was at first hard to educate the people to the economy of this question, but they are now of the decided opinion that it is the best spent money in history of Brown county. Judge Brumfield was born Oet. 8, 1857, in Mississippi county, Southeast Missouri. His parents were both natives of Kentneky-his mother having been born in Logan county, and his father, Dr. R. B. Brumfield, was born in Hardin county in 1831. At the age of twenty-four he, in company with the family of his sweetheart, Miss Mariah E. Slack, went to Mississippi county, Mo., when that country was yet in its primitive state of development, and they were among the pioneer settlers of their chosen community. The happy young couple were married in the year 1855, and born to them were two sons and two daughters. Dr. Brumfield was a practitioner of medicine and surgery the major part of his life, and died in 1892, in Caney county, Mo., and the mother now resides alternatively with her children in Texas.
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At age of twenty years Judge Brumfield migrated with his parents from Stoddard county, Mo., to Boone county, Northwest Arkansas, in 1877-hence, he was educated in the public schools of these two states, and Belfont College, Belfont, Ark. Studied law at Springfield, Mo., under the preceptorship of the Hon. John O'Day, chief attorney for the Frisco Railroad Company, and was licensed to practice in Arkansas in 1882-and for sixteen years devoted himself to his profession in Madison county, of that state. In 1898 Judge Brumfield came to Tulsa, Indian Territory, and spent one year, after which, in 1899, we find him making his home with the good people of Brownwood, where, he says, he expects to round out his career and be buried. He was married Dec. 13, 1882, to Miss Dora Eoff, of Belfont, Ark., and their home has been blessed with seven children-four daughters and three sons, and all of whom are living at this writing. One year after coming to Brownwood Judge Brumfield was made City Recorder, and served four years. Was Justice of Peace two years, and has been County Judge since 1906-being now in his third term. A man of practical ideas and fine legal attainments, he has the happy faculty of making and maintaining friends wherever he is known. Brown county acquired a valuable citizen when he came among its people, and they have in many ways expressed their appreciation of his sterling qualities of heart and mind. Judge Brumfield belongs. to the Odd Fellows, K. of P. and Methodist church.
BOYETT, Dr. John Henry
In mentioning the Boyett family we wish to first speak of the parents of the subject, whose name precedes the body of this article. His father, John Boyett, was born in Lenoir county, North Carolina, and lived his life as a farmer. While yet a boy he left his native heath and located in Sumter county, Ala., where he lived until coming to Smith county, East Texas, in 1855, and to Blooming Grove, Navarro county, in 1878, where he died Oct. 24, 1892. He was a Deacon in the Baptist church, a Royal Arch Mason, took an interest in good government, the welfare of his community and was a good citizen wher- ever he resided. Dr. Boyett's mother was Miss Melissa Thorn. She was born in North Carolina, Aug. 8, 1832; matured to young womanhood in Alabama, and died at Blooming Grove, Texas, in 1883, after having borne four sons and six daughters-five daughters and one son, Dr. Boyett, being those of the family now living. Dr. Boyett was born in Sumter county, near Livingston, Ala., Jan. 16, 1853, and was schooled in early life on the farmi along with his father. His education was obtained at Tyler, Texas, and having qualified for the practice of dentistry, came to Waco and opened an office in 1887, and for the past twenty-four years has stood at the head of his profession in this city-the present location of his office being Chalmers building, Room 10. In 1888 Dr. Boyett was married to Miss Bell McFadden Ish, whose parents were among the earliest settlers as farmers in McLennan county. They have one daughter, Miss Johnnie Belle Boyett. Both ancestral branches of the family were Baptists, and in keeping with this faith Dr. Boyett and his family worship with that denomination in Waco. Having become a Mason when twenty- one years old while yet living at Tyler, he has been a member in good standing for the past thirty-seven years, which is one of the strongest recommendations that can be given of man, so far as character and honor is concerned. Throughout his long residence in Waco Dr. Boyett has ever been loyal to the welfare and development of this city and Central Texas, and as a practitioner of dental surgery, has uninterruptedly enjoyed a wide practice .* Popular among all classes and respected by the members of his profession, time has strengthened Dr. Boyett as a citizen with the great common people.
BECKLEY, Elkanah
To give a simple history of Mr. Beckley for the benefit of his posterity, we will begin with his father, S. L. Beckley, who was born in the Blue Grass State of Kentucky, from whence he migrated to Indiana, and was married to Miss Ruth Mathis, of Madison, that
* He is a member of the state and local dental associations.
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state. The couple went to Dade county, Mo., in 1845, where Mr. Beckley beeame one of the largest farmers and stock-raisers in Southwestern Missouri. In 1868 the family moved to Dallas county, Texas-near Lancaster-where the father died a Mason and consistent member of the Baptist church in 1884, at the age of seventy-three. There were born into the family five sons and six daughters, and the mother died at age of seventy-niue years. Those living at present time are: Miss Kizzie Beckley, ou the home-place near Lancaster; Mrs. Col. W. F. Williams, Dallas; Mrs. W. R. Moffett, Waxahachie; Mrs. Mary Ann Wetzel, Greenfield, Mo., near the original homestead.
Mr. Beckley, whose name initiates this sketch, was born on his father's farm in Dade county, Mo., Dec. 2, 1848, and was married in October, 1872, to Miss Anna Louis Moffett, daughter of Dr. J. H. Moffett, of Lancaster, Texas, and two sons and two daughters eou- tribute to the sunshine of their lives-two sons and one daughter being dead. Mr. Beekley continued to assist his father with his farming and business interests until after his mar- riage, when he was for fifteen years engaged in business in Lancaster-first, the grocery and hardware lines on a very respectable seale, theu flour manufacturing-in both of which he was successful until 1889, when, after purchasing more than 50,000 bushels of wheat, left Lancaster for a restful trip down on the Galveston coast; returning, found the entire amount of his wheat had heated, totaling a loss of more than $40,000. Disposing of his business interests at Lancaster, he was, what he styled himself, a "Roamer," for eight or nine years, when he located in Waco in 1897, and engaged in the real estate and land business-with the result that the firm of Beekley & Beckley is numbered among the most aggressive factors in the progressive development of this city and its adjacent trade territory. The firm buy, sell and exchange land and real estate; build homes to suit, loan money, and in every way possible aid their friends, customers aud the development of this much favored section of Grand Old Texas. Mr. Beckley stated to the writer that in less than three years past his firm had builded about 120 new homes in Waco; many of them located on best residence streets of city, and being of the latest architectural designs, and vet the demand is not supplied; the removal of the "Katy" railway shops from Hills- boro to Waco was assured; the building of the interurban from Waco to Dallas was a certainty; navigation on the Brazos river and a water-shipping rate would eventually be secured, and that he believed it but a matter of time when Waco would be a eity of 100,000 people. Liberal in his religious views and politically a Democrat, Mr. Beckley is steadfast, loyal and sincere in all the relations of life. In presence and bearing he is a distinguished type of the true Texan and Southerner, of whom it is a pleasure to salute and eonverse.
BAILEY, Senator Joseph Weldon
Hon. J. W. Bailey, of Fort Worth, and senior United States Senator from Texas, was boru in Copiah county, Miss., Oct. 6, 1863; was admitted to the bar in 1883; served as a district elector on the Cleveland and Hendricks ticket in 1884; removed to Texas in 1885 and located at his present home; served as elector for the State at large on the Democratic ticket in 1888; was elected to the Fifty-second, Fifty-third, Fifty-fourth, Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Congresses; on the organization of the Fifty-fifth Congress, March 15, 1897, he was the Demo- cratic nominee for Speaker of the House of Representatives; was chosen United States Senator January 23, 1901, to succeed Senator Horace Chilton; re-elected in 1907. His term of service will expire March 3, 1913.
Turn back the dial on the Century Clock, if you will, and trace carefully the history of men and governments, and all will lead up to the same simple story-that when they grow drunk with power and corruption they grow aloof from the people; and the fatter they wax the more convinced are they that the people know not what is best for them and are incapable of self- government. For years Senator Bailey has been a luminous figure in the public life of the Nation, but his vision narrowed steadily as years passed, and if his sympathies and patriotic integrity had been as strong as his powerful brain and physique the great good he could have accomplished would have been equaled by but few men in history of the country. So long as the human mind is interested in the story of the olden days, so long as eourage thrills and
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goodness charms, will men read with uncovered heads the downfall of their ideals. The difficulty in this age of modern strenuosity, Americans, is not to escape from death, but from guilt, for guilt is swifter than death, and runs faster. Senator Bailey has lived in a time of unparalleled opportunity. Losing the love and confidence of the people of the Nation reduced his actions at Washington to suspicion; Truth, brisk and vehement, and no respecter of person, condemned him to political death. He has submitted to his punishment and quit the race; and though he is said to be rich in this world's goods, is the taint on his name, be- queathed to those to follow him, worth the price?
BREUER, Dr. Chas. H.
Dr. Breuer was born in Malesov, Bohemia, March 10, 1866. His father, Karel Breuer, had a small estate, brass and iron foundry and machine shops. in the old country, which was flooded with eighteen feet of water after a cloudburst in 1870. Bohemia being under the Austrian government, which tyrannously exacted unreasonable and as high taxes from un-
DR. BREUER AND FAMILY.
profitable property as that of profitable investments, caused him to dispose of these interests for what he could get, and in 1876 seek his new home in America-especially was he influenced in doing this in view of the fact that he and his sons were expert and high-class mechanics. Their specialty was in the metal line, and particularly that of manufacturing moulds with engraving and lettering for glass works, in which the father and two older sons were highly successful and enjoyed appreciable reputations. Upon coming to this country the family first resided for about four months in New York City, after which they accepted the slogan of "Going West and growing up with the country"-settling at New Market, Minn., where the father died in 1909, at the age of ninety-one. Louis Breuer, second oldest son, having suffered the loss of an eye as the result of an accident in the brass foundry in Bohemia, de- cided he "wanted no more of it" after coming to this country, has for many years been a prosperous farmer near New Market, Minn., where he resides with his family at this writing. Mr. Hynek Breuer, the oldest, son, is today President of the Elreno Foundry & Machine Com- pany, the largest plant of its kind in Oklahoma.
As stated before, the Breuer family for centuries back in the old country followed mechanical lines, but the original subject of this article, Dr. Chas. H. Breuer, from boyhood forward, developed a different trend of mind. For four years he attended the Bohemia Primer
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schools, and being ten years old when the family came to America, he attended the New Marker Grammar school to the age of seventeen. In 1884, at the age of nineteen and without funds, he accepted the responsibilities of life on his own account, left home and went to the thriving city of Chicago, where he took a position as a reporter on a Bohemian newspaper- The Daily Svornost. He later worked on the Abendpost (German), and The Daily News (English), and acquired a high standing in Chicago journalism. In the meantime he attended the night sessions of the Boys' High school for the purpose of advancing his literary educa- tion We next find him in the real estate business in Chicago for two years, when he put the Merigold Sub-Division, on West Side, on the market. Going to Omaha, Neb., he decided to qualify for the practice of medicine and surgery. Re-entering journalism, he simultaneously accepted a position on Bohemian newspapers, The Pakrok Zaradu and The Hospodar, an agricultural bi-monthly, published by a very prominent Bohemian journalist, in order to pay his expenses, and matriculated in the Medical Department of Creighton University, wherein he labored diligently for four long years. Graduating with the highest konors of his elass, he was granted a diploma at close of third year-he obtaining first prizes for medicine, surgery, obstetrics, and eye and ear-enough honor for one student at the closing exercises of a single institution. To still the better qualify him for his profession Dr. Breuer immediately re- entered for the fourth year, and received an Ad Eundem degree. During the following two years-1897.8-he remained in Creighton University as Demonstrator of Anatomy-during which time he also practiced in Omaha. His wife's health failing, he came south and located at Hallettsville, this state-but without results. Spending a season near Colorado Springs, in the Rocky Mountains-in the log hut and open-air, with good results for Mrs. Breuer's health, he returned to Nebraska, and for seven years practiced at David City and Crete. Back to grand old Texas-this time to live forever-he resided at Yoakum, Taylor and Cameron for a period of four years, where he conducted private surgical hospitals. Dr. Breuer has been living in Waco little more than a year at this writing (1911). His wide reputation as a surgeon having preceded him to this city, he soon became busy, and rapidly built up a large patronage, which engrosses his entire time and attention.
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