The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 55

Author: Davis, Ellis Arthur, ed; Grobe, Edwin H., ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Dallas, Texas Development Bureau
Number of Pages: 1328

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

R. BREEDLOVE, of Fort Worth, has been engaged in the livestock commission busi- ness for more than a quarter of a century, and prior to 1920, when he engaged in a .J.t.css for himself, he had been during his career to ciated with some of the largest livestock com- n sion firms of the country. The Breedlove Live- ..< k Commission Company, which he heads, is ver of the leading firms of Fort Worth, engaged . buying and selling livestock on a commission This firm handles about twenty-five hun- zred car loads of livestock annually, which includes rattle, hogs and sheep. Fifteen people are em- ;; yed in the operation of this business, with ffices in the Livestock Exchange Building. Associated with Mr. Breedlove are: W. H. Aber- "athy and others as partners. Mr. Abernathy has tren engaged .in the commission business here for »; te than twenty-five years, associated with sev- etal of the leading commission companies, and is widely and favorably known, throughout the ... uthwest.

A native Texan, Mr. Breedlove was born in trenham, Washington County, July 18, 1874. His father, Charles R. Breedlove, a native of Virginia, came to Texas about 1843 and settled in Washing- :. n County, near the historic old town of Inde- indence. Charles R. Breedlove, was a lawyer and served as an officer in the Confederate Army. Later, he removed to Collin County where he : rmed a partnership with Judge Tom Brown, who Later was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. The education of the subject of this sketch was received in the public schools of Washington County, and under Prof. Wedemeyer of Wede- meyer's Academy at Belton, Texas, and later he at- :ended Simmons College. While he was attending school for eight years he worked on a ranch in Fisher County during his vacation periods learning much of the ranching and livestock industry. A "w years later, he went with the Cattle Raisers' Association of Texas, as brand inspector in Chicago, and few Mavericks escaped the sharp scrutiny of Mr. Breedlove during the seven years he was so employed. He then went with the National Live- stock Commission Company of St. Louis and served 4 yard man for one and one-half years, after which he joined the yard force of Greer-Mills & Company, one of the oldest commission firms of St. Louis, and . 1904 came to Fort Worth as salesman for this organization. He continued with the Greer-Mills Commission Company for almost three years and then associated himself with the National Livestock Commission Company again, and remained with them until 1.920, when he engaged in the commission business for himself. Mr. Abernathy and Mr. Sam K. Lewis (now deceased) helped to organize the Breedlove Commission Company, of which Mr. Breedlove has been the executive head from the beginning.

Mr. Breedlove was married in Chicago, May 31, 1002, to Miss Alice Case, a native of New York. Hier father, for many years was associated with the I'nion Stock Yards in Chicago and was one of the best known livestock men of his time. Mr. and Mrs. Breedlove have two children: Charles, Jr., the commission business with his father, and one ! the leaders of the younger generation of business men of Fort Worth, and Ruth Case, in school in

Fort Worth. The Breedlove home is located at 1417 Harrington Avenue.

Mr. Breedlove is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Baptist Church. In addition to his interests in the commission business, he is associated with his brother, Tom B. Breedlove in the lumber business at Alba, Texas. He has always been active in matters having to do with the civic betterment and upbuilding of Fort Worth where he is known as one of the city's enterprising busi- ness men and citizens.

OBERT A. WEBB, for many years an active figure in the business life of Dallas, has been associated with some of the lead- ing financial and commercial enterprises of this city. He is now in the insurance business, his firm being Dudley & Webb with offices in the Fidelity Union Building.

Mr. Webb was reared and educated in . Navarro County, Texas, where he later taught school for two years. He then came to Dallas and for several years was with the old Security National Bank and later severed his connection with this institution and went with the Guaranty State Bank, which is now the Republic State Bank, remaining with it for a few years. He then accepted a posi- tion with the wholesale firm of Waples-Platter Company, and remained with it for several years. His health failed while with Waples-Platter and he resigned and engaged in real estate and later the oil and gas business. After a few years, his health failed and again he was forced to retire from active pursuits.

Mr. Webb was married in Navarro County, Texas, to Miss Ollie Mae Ramsey, a native Texan and a member of one of its pioneer families. Her father, S. D. Ramsey, a native of Georgia, when seven years old was brought to Texas by his parents in a covered wagon. The family settled in Navarro County where he has lived since that time, being now a resident of Corsicana. Although Mr. Ramsey is sixty-five years of age, he is active and alert, and often tells of his early experiences in the days when he was a lad. He was educated in the schools of Navarro County, and as a young man started as a cattle raiser and farmer. After several years of this work, he engaged in the grocery business, which he continued for a period of eleven years until his health failed. He has, since that time, been looking after his real estate and oil interests in Navarro County. Mrs. Webb's mother, Mrs. Marguerite Elizabeth (Cunningham) Ramsey, a native of Tennessee, was brought to Texas in a covered wagon by her parents when only a few years old. The family settled in Navarro County, where she was reared and edu- cated. Her father, Mr. Cunningham, entered the Civil war, but never returned, leaving a wife and two children who were little more than infants. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey: Essie, now Mrs. R. L. Moore; Ollie Mae, now Mrs. R. A. Webb; Flora, now Mrs. A. W. Robinson ; Rufus Seburn Ramsey (deccased) ; Hattie, now Mrs. E. W. Ellington and Jack now Mrs. W. B. Burdine. Mrs. Ramsey, a member of the Metho- dist Church, is living at the age of sixty-seven years.

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Mr. and Mrs. Webb have one child: Dorothy Elizabeth Webb, a student in college in Dallas. The Webb home is located at 706 South Edgefield street. Mr. Webb is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and has throughout his residence in Dallas taken an active part in all matters having to do with the betterment and advancement of his city, where he is regarded as one of its most helpful citizens.

F. ROWE, of Dallas, has been active in cotton circles of Texas and other southern states for many years, where he is well known as an expert in his field. For more than twenty years he has been associated with the Japan Cotton Trading Company and stationed at various places where this company maintains offices. For several years he was the agent of this company in Memphis, Tennessee and for about five years represented it in Austin. Since coming to the Dallas office of the company in 1927 Mr. Rowe has been identified with the cotton classing department.

A native Texan, Mr. Rowe was born in Brenham, May 26, 1875. His father, N. B. Rowe also a native son, was born and reared near Wharton, Wharton county, where he became on of the large planters of that county. His mother, Mrs. Virginia (Cleveland) Rowe, also was born in Texas and is a member of the Cleveland family who came to Texas from Edgefield, South Carolina and were among the pioneer settlers of this state. His education was received in the public schools of Brenham and Baylor University.

Mr. Rowe was married in Austin, October 30, 1898 to Miss Mabel Cloud, a native Texan and a daughter of John W. Cloud, also a native, who for many years was engaged in the cotton business in Texas. Her mother, Virginia Washington, was born in Austin and was a descendent of General George Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have two children, Virginia, at home with her parents and Guy Landis Rowe, of Austin, who travels for Thomas W. Briggs Company, of Memphis. The Rowe home is located on the Scenic Drive, Lake Austin at Austin, Texas.

During his residence in Austin, Mr. Rowe was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Chamber of Commerce, the Lion's Club, the Austin Country Club and was vice president and chairman of the grounds committee of the Austin Municipal Golf and Amusement Association. Since coming to Dallas he has identified himself with the local civic and social 'organization and is already imbued with the Dallas spirit.

OHN H. AWTRY, Attorney at Law, has been identified with the legal profession at Dallas for a period of seven years during which time he has built up a lucrative civil practice and has attained a commendable place in the legal fraternity of the Texas metropolis. Mr. Awtry first began his practice in Dallas in 1921 and the same year he formed a partnership with W. M. Taylor under the firm name of Taylor and Awtry. This partnership was continued for about a year when it was dissolved. Mr. Awtry then practiced alone for a period of three years. In

1924 he again formed a partnership with Roy C. Coffee who formerly was a member of the legisla- ture from Wise County. This partnership was ter- minated in 1925 since which time Mr. Awtry hax practiced alone. His offices are located at 1007 Public National Bank Building. Since the year 1922 Mr. Awtry has been licensed to practice be- fore the United States Supreme Court,

John H. Awtry was born at Quitman, Wood County, Texas. His parents were Emmett and Mary Elizabeth (William) Awtry. He was edu- cated in the Quitman County Public Schools, Mine- ola High School, and the law department of the University of Texas. He graduated from the latter institution with a B. L. degree in 1921. While in the University of Texas, he was a member of the Student Training Corps.

Mr. Awtry was married in New York City, April 24, 1923, to Miss Nell Catherine Jacoby of Dallas, the daughter of H: H. Jacoby who was Tax Collec- tor of Dallas County for a period of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Awtry have one daughter, Nell Cath- erine.

Mr. Awtry has taken an active interest in civic and educational matters. He was the first president of the Exchange Club in Dallas, first president of the Texas Affiliated Exchange Clubs and is a mem- ber of the National Board of Control of this club. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the A. A. A. and has charge of its activities in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. While at the Univer- sity of Texas he became a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He is a member of the Dallas and Texas Bar Associations.

The family church affiliation is Methodist.

RANK PIERCE PENDERY, was a pioneer merchant of Fort Worth, having located here about 1870, and was one of the first men to engage exclusively in the grocery business in this city. He spent his entire life in this line, building a large business and having distinction of being the first merchant to handle the fancy groceries in Fort Worth.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Pendery was born in Cin- cinnati, May 15, 1857. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother was a native of Pennsyl- vania. Ilis education was received in the schools of Ohio. As a young man, Mr. Pendery came to Fort Worth, where he immediately engaged in the retail grocery business. When Mr. Pendery came to Fort Worth, a first class grocery store was un- heard of, the greater part of the grocery business being transacted along with the liquor trade. Practically everybody lived around the square and merchandise came from Jefferson by wagon. Later in life Mr. Pendery engaged in the real estate business, though not on a large scale, doing some trading and buying and selling property along with his grocery business.

Mr. Pendery was married in Fort Worth, Decem- ber 25. 1890, to Miss Beulah Camilla Moore, a native of New Orleans, and a member of a family prominently identified with the affairs of the south. Her father, Dr. John M. Moore,'a native of Alabama. was a leader in the medical profession in the states in which he resided. Her mother, Mrs. Camilla E.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

( Hall) Moore, was a member of a well known Family of Tennessee. One child was born to Mr. : 4 Mrs. Pendery: Paxton Burt Pendery, a leader enung the younger generation of business men of rt Worth, where he has resided all his life. The I endery home is located at 500 Eighth avenue.

Mr. Pendery died in Fort Worth, January 5, 1.21. He was a charter member of the Knights : Pythias, in Fort Worth; and a member of the Baptist Church. He took a keen interest in the e.vic affairs of Fort Worth and assisted in every worthy cause. Coming here in the early days, he triped to make Fort Worth the great city it is ray. He was a progressive merchant, esteemed anke by customer and competitor, with a host of friends throughout the North Texas territory.

RIAN OTTO ALEXANDER, Engineer and Bridge Builder of Dallas, although one of the younger members of the professional life of this city, was known as one of the most efficient in his chosen field.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Alexander was born in Charleston, May 4, 1876. His father. Frank Louis Alexander, also a native of Illinois, was en- raged throughout his life in engineering and bridge building, being a pioneer in this line of work. The subject of this sketch received his early instruction from his father, from whom he had inherited a liking for the profession of engineering. Frank Louis Alexander was associated with some of the most gigantic projects of his time which stand to- day as a monument to his efficiency and experience. The mother of Orian Otto Alexander was Miss Mary Oliver, a member of one of Illinois' most prominent families. His early education was re- ceived in the public schools of his native State, after which he entered the University of Illinois, where he remained for several years, later taking special training in engineering in Eastern colleges.

Mr. Alexander was married in Dallas, December 29th, 1902, to Miss Blanche Morten, a member of one of the best known families of the Lone Star State. Her father, E. W. Morten has been for many years the executive head of the Morten Mill- ing Company, one of the largest and most success- ful milling concerns of this part of the country. Mr. Morten is a leader in the civic and commercial circles of North Texas, where, in addition to his milling interests he has other business interests of magnitude. Mrs. Alexander's mother, Mrs. Nel- lie (Webb) Morten, was a native of Duluth, Min- nesota and a member of a well known and highly esteemed family of that city. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander: Winfield Morten, who is one of the leading engineers of his generation, being the third Alexander in direct line to engage in this profession. The beautiful Alexander home is located at 4015 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas.

Orian Otto Alexander died in Dallas in October, 1904, when only twenty-eight years of age. Al- though he had attained much prominence in his field of activity, his friend|; had expected that he would rise to the top of his profession in the South- west. He was a resident of Dallas for three years and during this period took a keen interest in the affairs of this city, where he made a host of friends. Mr. Alexander was a member of many of the city's · social and professional organizations, in all of which he was popular.

He was a member of the Church of Christ, with membership in his native State. As a resident of Dallas he contributed the leadership and standing of a respected member of his profession as well as the influence of a thorough-going gentleman to all relationships of life.

HARLIE SAMUEL MCCLURE for more than thirty years was identified with the commercial life of Dallas where he was known as one of the city's most progres-

sive business men and helpful citizens. Mr. McClure organized and operated a manufacturing plant, the products being soda water, candies, blu- ing, vinegar and kindred lines. He started on a small scale, selling to the Dallas market, but his business grew until he shipped throughout Texas and contiguous states.

Prior to coming to Dallas in 1888, Mr. McClure had a wide and varied business career which he started as a very young man with his father in the grocery business at Medina, Ohio. Later he entered the grocery business at Marietta, Ohio, where he remained only a short time and then went on the road for a wholesale grocery firm of Ohio as a traveling salesman. Later he chang- ed firms and while traveling for Cossack & Com- pany of Buffalo, New York, he came to Texas and ' worked here for this firm for some years, prior to locating in Dallas and engaging in the manufactur- ing business.

A native of Ohio, Mr. McClure was born in Medina, April 20, 1855. His father, Alex W. Mc- Clure, was a native of New York State, where for many years he was active in the business circles of his community. His mother, Mrs. Mary Ann (Edge- ington) McClure, was a native of Virginia and a member of a prominent family of that state. His early education was received in the schools of Medina, Ohio, later attending school in Willoughby, Ohio, after which he attended Cornell University.

Mr. McClure was married in Dallas March 20, 1893, to Miss Sena Cox, a native of Indiana. Her father, Jesse T. Cox, was a well known figure in the commercial life of Indiana, his native state. Her mother, Mrs. Hannah (Trueblood) Cox, was a member of one of the foremost families of Indiana. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McClure, both of whom are residents of Dallas: Florence, now Mrs. T. J. Blakeney, and Clarence Samuel Mc- Clure, a leader among the younger generation of business men of this city. The McClure home is located at 4029 Bowser Avenue.

Mr. McClure died in Dallas April 9, 1920. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, having affiliated with this organization in Ohio. He also held membership in various commercial, civic and social organizations here, in all of which he took an active interest. Mr. McClure had many friends throughout the country and in Dallas where he had resided since coming to Texas, and to which he con- tributed his material aid and time in its upbuilding and development along all lines.

He saw Dallas grow from a small cotton trading town to the Metropolis of the southwest. manufac- turing various products and doing tlre largest whole- sale and jobbing business of any city of comparable size in the United States.

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AMES D. FARMER Sr., for more than thirty-five years has been a factor in the livestock commission business of Fort Worth, where he heads the Farmer Com- mission Company, with offices in the Livestock Exchange Building. Mr. Farmer has the distinc- tion of being the oldest commission man of Fort Worth and his company is one of the leaders in this city, doing about $20,000.00 in daily business. Associated with Mr. Farmer are: Joe P. Farmer, a brother, and Ward Farmer, a son, both of whom are well known in the commission field.

A native Texan, Mr. Farmer was born in Tar- rant County, June 25, 1858. His father, Elija Farmer, was a pioneer Texan, having come to this state as a boy in the '30s, and in the early '60s, be- canie one of the leading cattlemen here, later sell- ing his cattle interests to the late C. C. Slaughter. His education was received in the rural schools of Tarrant County, in Mansfield and Fort Worth. As a young man, he started farming on his father's farm in Tarrant County. At the age of twenty-two he bought a 4000-acre ranch in Parker County, and en- gaged in the cattle business for six years. Then he came to Fort Worth, and entered the employ of J. B. Watkins, of the Land Mortgage Company. After three years with this firm he engaged in the com- mission business and with others organized the Fort Worth Livestock Commission Company. This firm continued for several years and then the stockholders purchased the National Livestock Commission Company, and later formed the Rhome-Farmer Commission Company, which Mr. Farmer continued to operate for several years. After several other associations in this line of busi- ness Mr. Farmer, in January, 1926, organized the Farmer Commission Company, of which he is the head, and which has grown to be one of the im- portant livestock commission houses of Fort Worth. In addition to his commission business, Mr. Farmer has always been actively engaged in the livestock business on the range.

Mr. Farmer was married in Tarrant County, April 19, 1883 to Miss Martha C. Thompson, a native of this state and a member of a pioneer family of Tarrant County. Her father, Captain Henry Thompson, was a government contractor in the early days of Texas, later moving to Tarrant County where he was one of the largest landowners the greater part of which was near Fort Worth.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Farmer, eight of whom are living, being Fred, Minnie ( now Mrs. E. W. Nicodemus) Ward, J. D. Jr., Jeannette, Cherry (now Mrs. R. P. Pittinger), Jack and Jolly. The home is located at 702 West 24th Street.

Mr. Farmer is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a leader in all affairs having to do with the city's development and progress. He was the first mayor of North Fort Worth, before this city became a part of Fort Worth. He served two terms as the chief executive and was instrumental in having many modern improvements adopted. A native Texan, he is true to the teachings and tra- ditions of his state. His father was an Indian. fighter and when he came to Texas, the early set- tlers suffered frequent attacks from the redskins and the subject of this sketch remembers somne of this early Texas history. Although Mr. Farmer has reached the three-score-and-ten age, he is alert,

attending to all his business affairs and is active in the operation of the Farmer Commission Com. pany, which is one of the oldest and most reliable organizations of its kind in Fort Worth.

AMES S. (JIM) TODD, retired cattleman of Fort Worth, for many years has been a factor in the cattle industry of the Lon- Star State, where he owns large ranch properties and much livestock. Mr. Todd, for many years, was president of Evans-Snider-Buel Com- pany, one of the largest livestock commission firms of Fort Worth. He resigned from this po- sition in the early part of 1927, but is still a mem- ber of the board of directors.

A native son of Texas, Mr. Todd was born in Falls County, fourteen miles east of Marlin, August 11, 1858. His father, William R. Todd, a native of South Carolina, came to Texas in the early days, and was married in Falls County in 1856. His father entered the Army of the South from Texas at the outbreak of the Civil war, and died from an attack of measles while a soldier, in the hospital at Little Rock. His mother, Mrs. Mary (Bell) Todd. was a member of a well known family of South Carolina, who came to Texas with her parents. She died when the subject of this sketch was sixteen years of age. Mr. Todd attended public school at Kosse, Texas, for two terms. He started his ca- reer as a cattle buyer for J. J. Beckham, at Mexia. with a salary of $45.00 per month, and furnished his own horse. He later engaged in buying and selling cattle for himself in a small way, in the country around Marlin, Waco and Kosse. In 1884 he went to Sweetwater, Texas and drove his cattle. which at that time numbered seventeen hundred head, to the free range, and was there for three years. He then went to the northern part of the Indian Territory and remained there for twenty years. When this territory was opened for sale, he purchased eleven thousand acres and leased the same number of acres for grazing purposes for his cattle. He came to Fort Worth in 1899 and associated himself with the Evans-Snider-Buel Company, becoming a director at that time, suc- ceeding R. H. Brown as manager, remaining in this position until 1920, when he was made pres- ident. In 1900 Mr. Todd purchased eighty-five sec- tions of land in Crockett County, where he runs fifteen cows and one hundred sheep on each sec- tion. He has eighteen sections of land leased at Big Lake, Reagan County, Texas. He has a man- ager on each ranch, and although he has reached three-score-and-ten, he is alert and active, and looks after his large interests.

Mr. Todd was married in St. Louis, Missouri, October 10, 1900, to Miss Etta Sweeney, a daugh- ter of Mike Sweeney, who was one of the best known railroad men of his time. Mr. Sweeney built the Brazos Valley railroad into Houston from Fort Worth, and prior to this, was superintendent of the M. K. & T. railroad from St. Louis to Deni- son, Texas for fourteen years, and was an official of this railroad for more than eighteen years. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Todd; J. S. Todd, Jr., a student of the A. & M. College of Texas, where he is pursuing a course in animal husbandry. The Todd home is located at 1405 Elizabeth Boulevard.

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The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 55

Author: Davis, Ellis Arthur, ed; Grobe, Edwin H., ed Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Dallas, Texas Development Bureau Number of Pages: 1328

Author: Davis, Ellis Arthur, ed; Grobe, Edwin H., ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Dallas, Texas Development Bureau
Number of Pages: 1328