USA > Texas > The encyclopedia of Texas, V.1 > Part 58
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Mr. Yopp is a Mason and a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He has taken an active part in civic and industrial enterprises, having been presi- dent of the Dallas fair in 1914 and 1915 and is still one of the directors. He is still quite active in his work and his ripe experience covering a long period of years is an invaluable asset to the firm .with which he is associated.
EWIS P. GRINNAN, partner of the firm of Manning-Grinnan and Company, cotton merchants, 412 Interurban Building, did not just happen to go into the cotton business for he traveled all over the world for two years studying what to do and where to do it. A Texan by birth, Texas finally drew him back and he decided the vocation for which he was best suited was that with which he was most familiar and so in 1912 he began the business which has now become one of the largest in the South. He started in as L. P. Grinnan, f. o. b. buyer, and continued under that name until 1015, when the present firm was organized in Ter- rell, Texas, where the headquarters were maintained until 1920, when the Dallas branch, established in 1918, was made headquarters. W. Schalegg is inter- ested in the firm with Messrs. Grinnan and Manning.
Mr. Grinnan owns a large farm in Kaufman County and is one of the largest breeders of cotton
seed in the state. He takes a great deal of interest in this work and gives much of his time to seeing that the highest class seed is sold throughout the cotton region. His stock is known by all growers in this territory and he ships much seed for long distances to progressive growers who desire to raise a choice yield.
Mr. Grinnan was born in Terrell, Texas, May 7, 1885. His father, J. S. Grinnan, came to Texas from Virginia many years ago and was known as one of the big cotton producers of Texas. His mother was Miss Belle Ham who was born and raised at Tyler, and was the daughter of one of the oldest Texas families. Mr. Grinnan attended the public schools of Terrell and later the University of Texas and the A. and M. College. He entered the banking business in 1907 with the First State Bank of Terrell, which was established by his father. He remained there until 1910 when he started on a tour of the world to decide on what kind of a business career would best suit him. He visited all the countries of Europe and also Canada, Alaska and Cuba, returning to this country in 1912. He entered the cotton busi- ness on his return to Terrell.
He married Miss Genevieve Manning, his partner's daughter, in 1914. They have three children, Lewis P. Jr., John Manning and James Shepherd Grinnan. Their attractive home is located at 3601 Crescent Avenue, Highland Park.
Mr. and Mrs. Grinnan take an active part in the social affairs of Dallas and he is connected with many social, civic and fraternal organizations, being a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kappa Sigma fraternity, Texas Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers' Association, City Club, University Club, Dallas Country Club, Athletic Club, Dallas Cotton Exchange, Texas Cotton Asso- ciation and the New York Club. The family is af- filiated with the Catholic Church. He is Past Ex- alted Ruler of the B. P. O. Elks of Terrell.
MACOB KAHN, sole owner of the firm of J. Kahn & Company, cotton merchants, Cot- ton Exchange building, came to Dallas in 1891 to become manager for A. L. Wolff & Company, and remained with them until 1916, when he went into business for himself, buying and exporting cotton. He handles approximately 50,000 bales of cotton a year, and has an office force of about ten people. Most of his purchases are ex- ported to Liverpool and other foreign market cen- ters. He began his career in the cotton business in 1883 with A. Stern & Co., in Liverpool, England. and he was with this company continuously until sent to America in 1891 as the representative of the A. L. Wolff & Company.
Mr. Kahn was born in Altenschuenbach, Germany, March 21, 1861. His parents, S. and Hannah (Gold- smith- Kahn, were natives of Germany and his fath- er was a teacher in Niederwerrn. He graduated from the high school in his home town in 1875. His marriage took place in Dallas in 1900, when Miss Cora Newberger, daughter of J. Newberger of New York, and niece of Alex Sanger of Dallas, became his wife. They have two children, Stephen and Ed- mund, and the family resides at 1407 St. Louis street.
He is actively identified with the fraternal, civic, . and religious life of the city, being a Mason and a Shriner, connected with Hella Temple and Dallas
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Blue Lodge No. 70; Columbia Club, Lakewood Coun- try Club, City Club and Temple Emanu-El.
. He has always been deeply concerned in the prog- ress of Dallas and has always been active in assist- ing in the promotion of any movement designed to make the city greater and more populous one. Be- ing the largest cotton growing state in the Union. Mr. Kahn has kept in close touch with the growth and development of the cotton industry throughout the State and advances the statement that it is the rich- est cotton growing section in the world.
M IKE H. THOMAS, president of the M. H. Thomas Company, 411 Cotton Exchange Building, cotton merchants, has been con- nected with the cotton market in Texas for nearly forty years, having entered the business as a mere boy, and during this time he has acquired a familiarity with the field which has rarely been surpassed and has experienced as many of the lights and shadows of the cotton market during these years of constant variations as almost any other living man.
The firm of M. H. Thomas & Company was estab- lished in 1887 and has handled a constantly en- larging volume of business. Cotton is bought in all parts of Texas and is exported to various foreign ports. On January 1, 1918, the firm was incor- porated with a fully paid up capital stock of $200,- 000. The other members of the firm are D. S. Thomas, vice-president, and S. F. Code, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Thomas was born in Dallas County, Texas, April 10, 1866. His father, J. P. Thomas, came to Texas in 1852 and located in Dallas County where he became prominent as a cotton planter. His mother was Sallie (Hoffman) Thomas. When he was eight years old Mr. Thomas came to Dallas and secured his early education from the public schools of the city. At the age of sixteen he entered the employ of Smith & Company, cotton merchants, from whom he gained his first ideas of his life work. After two years he went with Jones & Company and remained with them until 1887 when the present firm was organized. Mr. Thomas is also president of the Dallas Waste Mills, the Houston Waste Mills and the Trinity Products Company. He is director of the Texas Cotton Association and has twice been president of the Dallas Cotton Exchange. He is also a member of the Cotton Exchanges of New Orleans and New York, a member of the New York Producers Exchange, of the Chicago Board of Trade and is an associate member of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange. The mere recital of these af- filiations indicate the prominent place he has taken in the advancement of the South's greatest enter- prise.
In 1889 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Emma Eugene Moss, sister of Col. Moss and a native of Dallas County. The children are Mike H., Jr., A. Moss, Edward, Inez, James, Mary, Sam and two others deceased. The family lives at 3612 Worth Street.
In addition to the various industrial organizations of which is a member, Mr. Thomas is a Mason of high rank having been honored with the thirty- third degree, is Grand Junior of the Grand Lodge of Texas. He is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and of the Dallas Club. His religious connection is with the East Dallas Christian Church. Having spent more than forty-six years in Dallas
ยท where he has been an active factor in its commer- cial life he has not only witnessed but has greatly assisted the remarkable growth of his home city through that long period. To those who are inti- mate with him it is not surprising that he has climbed to the summit of industrial prominence with recognition in Europe nor that he has attracted to himself a large group of devoted friends.
OHN SMITH OWNBY, Cotton Exchange building, has spent a life time in the cotton business, having begun when he was only 13 years of age, and now is United States manager for A. A. Paton and Company, exporters and international dealers in the fleecy staple.
Other than delivering papers as a very small boy. Mr. Ownby has been engaged in the cotton business exclusively all his life and he is now regarded as one of the foremost authorities on the cotton industry in the South. Born in the heart of one of the great- est cotton growing sections of the country, at Paris, Texas, and engaging actively in the business early in life, he has had unusual opportunities for master- ing the intricacies of this great business. He has been connected with A. A. Paton Company since 1904 and in 1908 he came to Dallas in charge of their principal American office. He has remained here continuously since and has been largely responsible for the development of their present enormous busi- ness. His first experience in the cotton business was at Paris in 1886 and he remained with one cotton merchant there for 17 years and then engaged in business for himself for a period of six years, at the end of which time he became associated with Paton and Company.
Mr. Ownby was born October 17, 1872, the son of John S. and Melvina Wynne Ownby, pioneer settlers of Texas who were actively concerned in the states early development. His father was a prominent lumberman of North Texas for many years. Young Ownby received a good common school education in the public schools of his home town and early in life concluded to forego a college training for the active experience of business life. His remarkable success is a wonderful tribute to his will power and deter- mination to succeed.
In 1899 Mr. Ownby was married to Miss Jessie Craven, daughter of United States Senator and Mrs. Jordan E. Craven of Clarksville, Arkansas. They have one son, Jordan Edgar Ownby. Senator Craven. who was a colonel in the Confederate Army, served his state in the United States Senate for twelve years and was a prominent political figure in Arkan- sas for a number of years.
In addition with his connection with Paton and Company, Mr. Ownby is an o.f.cer and director in a number of other cotton companies and financial in- stitutions, including the Transcontinental Compress Company of Paris, Cleburne Compress Company, of Cleburne, City National Bank of Dallas, Shippers Compress Company of Dallas, Red River Valley Trust Company and Interstate Compress Company of Fort Worth, the Aransas Compress Company and Exporters Realty Company. He is affiliated with a number of clubs and civie organizations of Dallas, including the Dallas Country Club, Brook Hollow, City and Athletic Club, Dallas Hunting and Fishing Club, Y. M. C. A., Dallas Cotton Exchange, the Texas Cotton Association and others.
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AMERON BELOW BUXTON, vice-president of the firm of H. L. Edwards & Company, Inc., cotton merchants, with offices in the Cotton Exchange Building, has acquired, during a long period of training an unusual mastery of the traffic problems so much so that government officials recognized his ability and levied upon his services during the recent crisis. While with the government he served on some of the most important committees of the Food and Transportation Admin- istration.
The firm of H. L. Edwards & Company is one of the best known in the Southwest. In addition to Mr. Buxton the officers are H. L. Edwards, president; F. P. Phillips, vice-president, and Wm. M. Gunn, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Buxton was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1879. His father, Hon. J. C. Buxton, was one of the pioneers of this section of North Caro- lina and was well known in that state. His mother was a sister of Colonel A. H. Below, former owner of the Dallas News. Having finished the prepara- tory training, Mr. Buxton attended the University of North Carolina from which he was graduated with the A. B. degree. After his graduation he went into the railroad business. Prior to his coming to Dallas he had been with the Santa Fe and had had charge of the eastern division for twelve years. In 1919, at the suggestion of Mr. Edward Chambers, first vice-president of the Santa Fe Railway, Mr. Hoover sent for Mr. Buxton to assist in the food transporta- tion. For a year he had charge of the over-sea traf- fic at Washington. After that he went with Mr. McAdoo as assistant director of traffic in the United States Railroad Administration. Following this he went abroad for the Railroad and Food Administra- tion. When the administration was dissolved he re- turned to Dallas and resumed his duties with the H. L. Edwards Company.
Mr. Buxton is unmarried and lives in Highland Park. He is a member of the S. A. E. fraternity and holds membership in a number of the social clubs of the city including the Dallas Country Club, the Brook Hollow Golf Club, the City Club, the Cherry Chase Club of Washington, the Pine Valley Golf Club and the Huntington Valley Golf Club of Phila- delphia.
HEODORE MARCUS, owner of Theo. Mar- cus and Company, cotton merchants and exporters, has been for many years a lead- ing cotton merchant of Dallas and the Southwest. The Theo Marcus Company is one of the largest and most solidly placed cotton concerns in the United States, handling an exten- sive international trade. Mr. Marcus has devoted his life to the study of fundamental conditions in the cotton business and few men are in a better position to speak authoritatively on the subject. Mr. Hervin M. Schultz, a nephew of Mr. Marcus, is manager of the Dallas office, and has held that position since the establishment of the firm.
The Theo Marcus Company was organized in 1915. Prior to this Mr. Marcus had been associated with other cotton concerns and his own company was a success from the beginning. Texas and Oklahoma cotton is bought up and consignments shipped to every part of the world. The home office is in Dallas with a branch office in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Mr. Marcus does not maintain an independent ware- house but makes use of public facilities for storing purposes. From 25,000 to 125,000 bales of cotton are handled annually, taxing the business to its full capacity and necessitating the employment of fifteen persons in the Dallas office.
A Kentuckian by birth, Mr. Marcus spent the first twenty-eight years of his life in Louisville where he was born in 1872. His father, J. Marcus, of Louisville, was also an important cotton merchant of Texas, and is now living in Dallas, associated with the Neiman-Marcus establishment. His mother was a Kentucky belle, Miss Delia Bloomfield, of Louisville. After finishing the public schools of Louisville, Mr. Marcus turned his attentions at once to the cotton trade, and for twenty years was suc- cessfully associated with Heinihen and Volgelsong. He came to Dallas in 1900 and in 1915 established his own business.
Mr. Marcus was married in 1894 to Miss O. Phelia Rosenbaum, the ceremony being solemnized at Hillsboro, Texas. They have one daughter, Dorothy, and own a home in Munger Place, 5717 Swiss Avenue.
Mr. Marcus is vice-president of the Neiman-Mar- cus Company, of Dallas, of which establishment his brother, Herbert Marcus, is president, and is con- nected with many other wealthy and prominent enterprises of the South. He has membership in the Columbia Club, Lakewood Country Club, City Club, Chamber of Commerce, Cotton Exchange, Liverpool Cotton Exchange, Automobile Club.
HOMAS P. DENTON, President; John D. Barrow, Secretary and Treasurer, of the Cotton Seed Cake & Meal Company of Tex- as, 1114 Great Southern Life building, have for a number of years been important factors in the cotton industry of Dallas and the Southwest. Mr. Denton came to Dallas from Memphis, Tenn., in 1918. On July 1st, 1920, Mr. Denton and Mr. Barrow formed a partnership.
The Cotton Seed Cake & Meal Company are brok- ers for every variety of cotton seed products. Be- sides the Dallas office a branch office is situated in Memphis and a second branch office in Chicago. The company buy cotton seed products from the mills and sells direct to consumers and dealers.
Okolona, Mississippi, is the birthplace of Mr. Denton. He was born in 1886 and educated in the High School of that city. After leaving school he was connected with the F. W. Brode Co., for two years, leaving this to accept the position of traveling freight agent for the Traders Dispatch. For some time Mr. Denton had been interested in cotton and he eventually resigned his place with the railroad to form an association with the Cottonseed Cake & Meal Company of Texas.
His marriage to Miss McClatchy of Mississippi, daughter of F. P. McClatchy, wealthy Mississippi planter, was celebrated in Holy Springs, Mississippi. Since coming to Dallas Mr. and Mrs Denton have made their home at 627 Lancaster Avenue, Oak Cliff.
Mr. Denton is a Mason and a member of the Meth- odist Church.
Mr. Barrow has lived in Dallas since 1910. Ile is a bachelor, a member of the Masonic order and of the Methodist Church, and resides at 627 Lancaster Avenue.
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M N. BAKER, Hippodrome Theatre Building, a large property holder, came to Dallas from Hamilton County, Texas, in 1898 and since that time has been active in every movement that had for its object the upbuilding of Dallas and vicinity. He now owns the Hippodrome Theatre Building and the Magnificent Bush Temple, home of the largest music establishment in the South, and is heavily interested in many enterprises not only in Dallas but in Texas and Oklahoma as well. He is a member of the board of directors of the American Exchange National Bank.
Mr. Baker has taken a great interest in civic af- fairs in Dallas, serving thirteen years, from 1905 to 1917, as chairman of the city's Park Board. It was under his direction that much of the improve- ments in the city's sixteen parks was made. He served also for a year as Supervisor of Public Utili- ties, resigning that position early in 1920 to devote his time to his personal affairs.
The activity of Mr. Baker in the development of Texas began in 1882 when he removed to Hamil- ton county from Ohio and engaged extensively in the real estate business and in scientific farming. With the coming of the oil boom in West Texas, Mr. Baker became interested in buying oil leases and has been highly successful in his operations in this line.
Several business enterprises fostered by Mr. Ba- ker have been phenomenally successful, having paid enormous dividends to their stockholders and in some instances later sold for several times the amount of the original investment.
Mr. Baker is a thirty second degree Mason, a mem- ber of the Knights Templar and of Hella Temple, Dallas. . He is also a member of the Dallas Country and City Clubs. An ardent believer in the future of Dallas, Mr. Baker proves himself a practical opti- mist by never losing an opportunity to aid and en- courage any movement that will aid in its growth and upbuilding.
ERBERT DOWNS ARDREY of the H. D. Ardrey and Company, cotton, grain, stocks and bonds, 615 Southland Life Building, Dallas has attained success in two distinc- tive realms-Law and Banking, two of the most honorable and esteemed professions of men. In the first, he attained a position of leadership, having served as First Assistant District Attorney of Dallas County, and then choosing to enter the banking world, he organized a bank, was president for three years, sold out and until recent date served in places of leadership with two of Dallas' most able banks.
Mr. Ardrey is a native of Dallas, born August 23, 1877. The public school system of his home city gave him his first education, then private schools made their contribution and next came the Univer- sity of Texas from which he graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Literature. Two years later, in 1901, he received a second degree from his Alma Mater-L.L. B. He was admitted to the Bar and began his practice in Dallas. This he con- tinued for five years, when, in 1908, he organized the Traders State Bank of which he was made Presi- dent. In 1911, he sold his interests in the Trad- ers Bank to the First State Bank and himself became Vice President of the Dallas Trust and Savings Bank. On January 1, 1917, he went to the First State Bank as Cashier; on July 1, 1919, he
resigned and came into the American Exchange Nat- ional Bank as Vice President. This position he held until he organized his present business.
On November 24, 1903, Mr. Ardrey married Miss Minnie Petty of Henderson, Texas. They have two children, Felix, age seventeen and Helen, age six- teen. The family residence is at 4931 Gaston Ave.
Mr. Ardrey is a member of the Sigma Chi Frater- nity at the University and of the Masonic Lodge.
From 1901, the year he returned to Dallas from his training in the University of Texas, Mr. Ardrey has been a leader among men and to-day is active in all matters pertaining to the advancement of his native city. He has ever been interested in educa- tional matters and served as a member of the Dallas Board of Education.
ACK E. PENRY, of the J. E. Penry Com- pany, loans of every sort, Sumpter Build- ing, is one of the pioneer business men who are still active in Dallas, and is said to be the best posted man in Dallas on land titles. This firm was organized in 1914. J. E. Penry is Dallas' representative of the National Loan and Investment Company of Detroit.
Mr. Penry was born of the sturdy Penry stock of Mississippi, April 15, 1859, in the town of Somer- ville, of Silas B. and Nanny Land Penry. A family so sturdy soon heard the call of Texas and the parents decided to locate "out where the West be- gins." Since 1865, Texas has claimed the Penry family-Gilmer, Texas, first, then Kaufman in 1867, and Dallas in 1874, when Jack began his career as a merchant lad in a store on the present site of the National Bank of Commerce. In 1887 Mr. Penry first began the abstract business. There are only two men in this business today in Dallas who were in it when he started-F. R. Bowles, president of the Dallas Consolidated Abstract Co., which Mr. Penry founded and was secretary and treasurer of for ten years, and Mr. Penry himself. In February of 1914 he sold his interests in the company he had organized, and launched the J. E. Penry loans.
On May 26, 1891, Mr. Penry was married to Miss Nellie G. Waring and they, with their three children. Hazel B., Nellie N. and Jack Gardner, now reside at 701 Haines Avenue.
The Odd Fellows, the Maccabees, the Praetorians and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen have all laid claim to this prominent citizen.
As a realty man, as a loan man and at the same time as one who is recognized as being an authority on land titles, Mr. Penry is unusually well equipped to serve the public in his realm.
ALY J. MOSES, secretary of the Dallas Title & Guaranty Company, 1301 Main Street, has devoted his entire business career to title insurance in Texas and has acquired a minute knowledge of all the intricacies of the business.
The Dallas Title & Guaranty Company was organ- ized in 1906 with Mr. Sam P. Cochran as its first president and was the first company of its kind to be organized in Texas. The company furnishes insurance for the titles of lands for owners and for purchaser of loans. It is affiliated with the Dallas Trust and Savings Bank. By providing absolute safety for investors in real estate the firm renders a distinct and valuable public service. Besides Mr. Moses, the officers of the firm are Judge Edward Gray, president, and C. P. Haynes, vice-president.
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Mr. Moses was born at Marshall, Texas, February 16, 1883, his father, E. J. Moses, was a prominent citizen of Burnet, Texas. Mr. Moses was educated a: West Point, New York, and on the completion of his education he went into partnership with his father under the title of E. J. Moses & Son. In 1908 he came to Dallas to take the position which he now holds. His work here was interrupted by a period of service in the army. He enlisted in August, 1917, and served eighteen months at Camp Travis as a captain in the infantry. Early in 1919 he resumed his duties as secretary of the Guaranty Company.
Mr. Moses was married to Miss Loula Door of Austin, January 18, 1906, and to them one child, Dorritt, was born. Their home is at 824 West Tenth Street.
Mr. Moses is a member of the Kiwanis Club, and the Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
R ICHARD ELDRIDGE BRAMLETT, sole owner of R. E. Bramlett and Company, mercantile collection and adjustment agents, with offices at 527 Slaughter building, Dal- las, has been a resident of this city for the past thirty-three years, the past six years of which has been devoted to the collection business. For the past two years Mr. Bramlett has devoted the major por- tion of his time to automobile financing and in the
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