USA > Texas > The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2 > Part 58
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Mr. Couch was married in Italy, Texas, Sep- tember 9, 1892, to Miss Myrtle Adkisson, a native of Tennessee. Her father, W. J. Adkisson, was born near Columbia, Tennessee. and, throughout his life, was active in the business affairs of his community. Her mother, Mrs. Sallie (Spear) Ad- kisson, was a native of Tennessee, and a member of a well known family of that state. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Couch: Vivienne, now Mrs. Robert K. Hanger, of Fort Worth. The Couch home is located at 1401 Hillcrest Avenue.
Mr. Couch died in Fort Worth, August 2, 1926. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., the Shrine, the I. O. O. F., the B. P. O. E., the Knights of Pythias, the Fort Worth Club, the River Crest Country Club and various civic organizations. He
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was truly one of the big men of Fort Worth, and a.sted in the development and upbuilding of city. Mr. Couch was a lovable man, and made :. nds wherever he went, and was at home with young people, as well as old. He was always ap- as achable, and even in trying moments, main- u sed his even disposition. His contributions to the cottonseed oil industry of Texas were many, and his name is recorded as a pioneer and leader a this field.
VERETT OLIN DAVIS, for many years, was prominent in the commercial life of Fort Worth, where he was engaged in the real estate business. He handled city and www.ch property, made a host of friends and was we'd in the highest esteem by a large clientele. Prior "o entering the real estate business Mr. Davis had an interesting career which he started as a young man wn a Missouri farm, where he mastered the funda- mentals of agriculture.
A native of Missouri, Mr. Davis was born in Falls County, December 21, 1856. His father, Temple Harold Davis, was a native of Missouri and a'wo a well known farmer there. His mother, Mrs. Frances Ann (Hendron) Davis, was a member of a Missouri family, numbered among the first set- C'ers of the community in which they resided. His "ducation was received in the public schools of his native state. He was reared on a farm near Hunnibal, where he started his farming activities, Inter moving near Vandalia, where he was suc- cessfully engaged in farming for a period of twelve years. He then came to Texas, settled on a ranch in the northern part of the state, and for seven years was engaged in raising and shipping livestock. With a desire to return to his native state, he disposed of his ranching interests and returned to Missouri, locating in Fayette where for five years he was engaged in the general mer- chandising business. He then returned to Texas and Iceated in Hardeman County, where he en- gaged in raising grain and livestock. He remained on this ranch for seven years, when he came to Fort Worth, and entered the real estate line in which be soon became one of the leaders on the north side.
Mr. Davis was married in Louisiana, Missouri, March 18, 1880, to Miss Ella Weed, a native of Missouri. Her parents, F. F. Weed and Mrs. Mary (MePike) Weed, were born and reared in Mis- souri. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis: Claude E., of San Antonio; Estella Irene, now Mrs. W. S. Card of Fort Worth; Henry Frank- ie, now Mrs. L. P. Card of Fort Worth; James William, of McAllen, Texas, and Miss Mary Weed, at home. The Davis home is located at 1711 Grand Avenue.
Mr. Davis died in Fort Worth, January 19, 1929. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Modern Brotherhood of America and the Presbyterian Church. While he was a resident of Ochiltree County, Texas he served for several terms in the office of justice of the peace. Mr. Davis made friends in all walks of life, and while he was modest, he was always ready and willing in co-operate in any movement for the betterment of his community and its citizenship. His natural ability, his public spirit and his capacty to make and hold friends, assured his success in his various business ventures.
RANCIS EUGENE DYCUS, for more than thirty years was one of the leading at- torneys of Fort Worth, and while he was engaged in the general practice of law, he was known as one of the best land lawyers in this part of the state.
A native son of Texas, Mr. Dycus was born in Prairie Lea, Caldwell County. His parents were pioneers of that part of the state. His education was received in the schools of Prairie Lea, which he left after a very little schooling. He was left an orphan at the age of nine and from that time he was forced to make his way in the world. With the energy and determination that characterized his life, he let nothing stand in the way of his de- termination to become a lawyer. He obtained work in a lawyer's office at LaGrange, Texas, and studied law under the best legal talent of that city. After his admission to the bar, he moved to Schulenburg, where he started the practice of his profession. . After two years in Schulenburg, he went to Archer City, and continued the practice of law there for several years, during which time he built up a large practice. He also served as county attorney and later as county judge of Archer County. During his residence in Archer County, he also engaged in the cattle business. In 1897 he came to Fort Worth and practiced law with W. S. Essex, under the firm name of Essex & Dycus, which continued for a few years, during which time they built up a large business. He then formed a partnership with A. L. Matlock and George E. Miller, under the firm name of Matlock, Miller & Dycus. This association continued until 1906 when it became Miller & Dycus. The latter became one of the leading law firms of Fort Worth being associated with many of the impor- tant cases of the day.
Mr. Dycus was married in Schulenburg, Texas, December 26, 1881, to Miss Sallie Hildebrand, who was reared by an uncle, J. W. Hildebrand, her parents having died when she was a small child. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dycus, four of whom are living: Harold K., of Archer City, Texas, engaged in the cattle business in Archer County; Eula, now the wife of J. W. Olvey, of Eldorado, Arkansas, he being an oil operator in that field; Jewell Eugene, a well known attorney of Fort Worth; Avon, now Mrs. J. H Armstrong Jr .; Earl, who died at the age of twenty years, was the third child, and the other died when an infant. The Dycus home is located at 1608 Hemphill Street.
Mr. Dycus died in Fort Worth, April 1, 1908. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Christian Church of which he was a deacon for many years. During the long period of his residence in Fort Worth he was active in civic organizations and was a worker for the good of his city and state. Prior to the commission form of government in Fort Worth, he served several ternis as alderman and during his regime many changes were made in modernizing the city and making it a better place in which to live. As a citizen, a lawyer and a friend, Mr. Dycus distin- guished himself in such a way that his death meant a serious loss to Fort Worth and to his many friends throughout the country. Men of his sort are bound to be missed when they are gone. Their number is all too few.
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NDREW THOMAS BYERS. In chronic- ling records of men who were factors in the development of Fort Worth, there is no name more worthy of note than that of Andrew Thomas Byers, who, for almost forty years, was an active figure in the development and upbuilding of this city. He came to Fort Worth in 1888, and during his residence here, was in- terested in every worthwhile enterprise of this city. Among the first acts toward the building of a better city, was the purchase of a large tract of land contiguous to Fort Worth, to the north, and, with his associates, laid out and built what is now known as North Fort Worth. He also built the first electric railroad in Fort Worth, this line being the third in the United States. He built many of the larger buildings of this city, numbered among them being the Palace Theatre.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Byers was born in Mad- ison County, September 27, 1847. His father, John Byers, and mother, Mrs. Sarah Byers, were natives of Pennsylvania and members of outstand- ing families of that state. His early education was received in private and public schools of his native state, after which he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, from which he graduated. He then studied law under Judge Shellebarger, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He began the practice of his profession in Springfield, Ohio, and soon built up an envi- able reputation as a lawyer. Later, he was elected to the office of city attorney of Springfield, and served with distinction in this office for three terms. He later was admitted to the practice in the Federal courts, and was associated with many important cases which came up in this court in Cincinnati. In addition to his large law practice, Mr. Byers was interested in manufacturing enter- prises in that part of the country. In 1888, he came to Fort Worth, and his coming to this city is marked by the growth which started at that time, for he immediately began a campaign for the upbiulding of his adopted city, which contin- ned for the period he lived here. After locating at Fort Worth, he gave up the practice of law, preferring to give his time to the betterment and upbuilding of this city, where his influence was felt in every line of industry, and in modernizing Fort Worth. Later, he purchased much land in North Texas for farming and ranching purposes, and became interested in the oil development of the state.
Mr. Byers was married in Plain City, Ohio, near the city of Columbus, November 28, 1877, to Miss Ida H. Bidwell, a native of Plain City and a mem- ber of one of the prominent families of that state. Her father, Lawson Bidwell, an esteemed citizen of Ohio, died while serving in the Union Army, during the Civil war. Her mother, Mrs. Jane (Harrington) Bidwell, was a member of a well known family of Ohio. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Byers: Gertrude, now Mrs. D. C. Richardson, wife of the general auditor of the Western Electric Company; Fred and Mary, de- ceased. Mary was married to Paul Joyslin, of Minneapolis, and left one child, Mary Jane. Mary Jane resides with her grandmother, and is a stu- dent at Wesleyan. She is one of the best girl swimmers in Texas, and is serious-minded and studious.
Mrs. Byers has been active in many lines since coming to Fort Worth, and is one of the best known and esteemed women of this city. She was made an honorary member of the Fort Worth Club, and enjoys the distinction of being the only woman member of this organization. The Byers home, where they have resided for more than thirty years, is located at 4800 Byers Avenue, and is one of the beautiful residences of the city. By- ers Avenue was named for the subject of this sketch, and the home is located across from Byers Park, also named for Mr. Byers.
Mr Byers died in Fort Worth January 30, 1925. He was a member of the Fort Worth Club, the River Crest Country Club, and while he was not a member of any church, he was of the Presbyte- rian faith. Mr. Byers was truly a city builder, and while his interests were varied, he concentrated most all of his actvities to this city, where he was esteemed by the entire citizenship. Mr. By- ers' life was an inspiration to all who knew him, and his career was worthy the emulation of all those who desire success.
Of an affable nature, generous in his opinions of others, and a source of encouragement and as- sistance to the needy, his life made an imperish- able imprint on the memory of all who were for- tunate enough to know him. Mr. Byers' life was a success, in all that the word implies-not in a pecuniary way, solely, but along the many other lines in which he was helpful to his fellows, for he always included within the scope of his thought and vision, the betterment of his fellow man, to whom he has left the greatest heritage any man can leave-an unblemished record of a life ded- icated to unselfish and purposeful service.
OHN ATLAS PEACOCK, for many years, was a well known lawyer of the Lone Star State, member of both houses of the legislature, county judge, active in the political, civic and social affairs of Fort Worth and expert in mining activities of Mexico.
A native son of Texas. Mr. Peacock was born in Morris County, November 23, 1845. His fath- er, William Peacock, was a native of North Caro- lina, who came to Texas in 1838, and became one of the leading citizens and business men of Mor- ris County. His mother, Mrs. Amanda (Coffey) Peacock, was a member of a prominent family of Alabama. His education was received largely through private tutors in Texas, both in academic work and in law. He was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in Daingerfield, Texas, where, for ten years, he was one of the leading lawyers of Morris County. While engag- ed in his law practice in Daingerfield. Mr. Peacock was a partner of John L. Sheppard, father of Sen- ator Morris Sheppard. While residing in Dain- gerfield. he served as alderman and county judge of Morris County. Later, he served Morris Coun- ty as representative in the Texas legislature, and after a few years in this office, became state sen- ator from that district. During 1864 and 1865, although a very young man, he served as a Texas Ranger in the western part of the state. In 1885 he moved to Fort Worth and practiced law for a short time in this city, but on account of failing health, engaged in mining in Mexico. In 1890 he returned to Fort Worth and formed a law
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Hartnership with A. L. Matlock, and this associa- .n became one of the leading firms in this city. frey were attorneys for the Capitol Syndicate, .alders of the State Capitol of Texas, and han- : i other important legal matters of that day.
Mr. Peacock was married in Daingerfield, April :4, 1879, to Miss Martha E. Parr, a native Texan, d a member of a pioneer family. Her father, dev. John O. Parr, a native of Tennessee, came .o Marshall, Texas, in 1850, later moving to Gray- . n County, where he was one of the best loved and most helpful ministers and citizens of that part of the state. Her mother, Mrs. Prudence I'myra (Crofford) Parr, was a native of Tennes- w". Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pea- ck, two of whom are living and are residents of Fort Worth: Ella L. and Myra P. Peacock. The three deceased were: John Atlas, Jr., James Al- fred, and Dixon Williams. Dixon Williams left ne son, Dixon Williams, Jr. The Peacock home is located at 408 West Broadway.
Mr. Peacock died in Fort Worth, February 24, 1922. He was a member of the United Brother- houd of America and of the First Presbyterian Church. In the death of Mr. Peacock, Fort Worth last one of its outstanding personalities; a man whose career as a lawyer and as a judge, and whose sterling worth as a citizen, won him the estecm of the entire citizenship. As citizen, law- yer, jurist and leader in many lay fields, he was a servant of the people, and an influence for good to the end of his days.
HARLES HENRY BURK, of Fort Worth, spent his entire life in various branches of railroad service, and was one of the best known railroad men of Texas and Mexico, about twenty years of his railroad expe- rience being in the latter country.
A native of Michigan, Mr. Burk was born in Monroe, March 25, 1857. His father was an ar- chitect in Detroit. He was educated in the schools of Michigan, which he left at an early age in order to enter the business world .. He started his ca- recr as a railroad call boy in Detroit. Later go- ing to Chicago, where for several years, he was employed in various capacities with the railroads there. In 1879, he came to Texas and went with the Texas & Pacific railroad, and a year later, to Fort Worth. After a few years, he went with the old Rio Grande railroad here, with which he remained until it was taken over by the Frisco lines, when he becanie master mechanic for the latter in Fort Worth. In 1902, he went to Mex- ico, and for several years was employed by the Mexican Central railroad, being assistant super- intendent of motive power during the greater part of the time in which he was employed by this company. Later, he was made superintendent of motive power for the Mexican Railway Com- pany and remained in this capacity for many years, or until 1921. when his health failed and he returned to Fort Worth and retired.
Mr. Burk was married in Marshall, Texas, on March 5, 1882, to Miss Lorena Murphy, a native Texan, and a member of a pioncer family of this state. Her father, James Murphy, a native of Philadelphia, for many years, was an active figure in the business circles of that city. Her mother. Mrs. Isabella (Owens) Murphy, was a member of
an esteemed family of Owensboro, Kentucky. where she was reared and educated. The Burk home is located at 1600 South Lake Street.
Mr. Burk died in Fort Worth, July 19, 1923. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers and while he was not a member of any church, he was of the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Burk was a self-made man, and during his life held many responsible positions with the rai !- roads with which he had associated himself. H. had many friends and was held in the highest es- teem by the executives of railroads as well as by his fellow workers.
ILLIAM THOMAS DAVIS, of Fort Worth, was, for nearly a score of years, engaged in the cement contracting business here during that time, and did much toward the improvement of the city. Mr. Davis began in this business in Rock Island, Illinois, a few years later coming to Fort Worth. During the twenty years following he contracted for and constructed hundreds of miles of cement sidewalks. curb- ing, guttering, and driveways thus contributing materially to the improvement of the city. Mr. Davis also contracts for other kinds of cement work, having equipment and workmen to handle any contract in this line, large or small. In his business relations he was known as a con- scientious and reliable contractor, and contracts handled by him were always given his personal supervision. Cement laid by Mr. Davis has with- stood the test of time, therc being in Fort Worth today many miles of cement work that is in splen- did condition after years of use. His business was conducted under the name of Rock Island Granitoid Co., which is now conducted by his son Chas. T. Davis.
William Thomas Davis was born in Wales, the sixteenth day of July, 1846. a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Davis, both natives of Wales, who spent their lives in that country. Mr. Davis at- tended the schools of Wales, later coming to the United States. He came to Fort Worth in 1907, and was a resident of this city until his death.
Mr. Davis was married in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the twenty-fourth day of June, 1879, to Miss Mary C. Burns, a daughter of Edward S. Burns, and Anne (Mackin) Burns. Mr. Burns was a native of Ireland, and Mrs. Burns of Lockport, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of two chil- dren: Charles T .. of Fort Worth, and Anne Ger- trude, wife of O. N. Mathews, of Fort Worth. There is one grandchild, Ray Thornton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Davis.
Mr. Davis was a member of the Magnolia Ave- nue Christian Church. At one period of his life Mr. Davis was engaged in mining, and during that time he became interested in mineralogy, and in the years following made a splendid collection of minerals of all kinds, having one of the finest of such collections, outside of an institution or col- lege. in the city. He also was a close student of mining and familiar with all phases of this busi- ness. His death occurred on the eighth day of March, 1926. he being eighty years old at tha: time. Mr. Davis counted his friends in Fort Worth by the hundreds, and was known in the busi- ness world as a man who, through adhering to honest and conscientious workmanship, did much to clevate the standards of the contracting bus- iness here.
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ARREN WAGNER for many years was one of the leaders in the oil industry of Texas and later prominently indentified with the life of Fort Worth, where he headed one of the outstanding oil well supply houses in the state. He was the first contractor to drill in the Ranger field and had the distinction of bring- ing in the great McClusky, the discovery well of that field, in 1918.
A native of West Virginia, Mr. Wagner was born in Ben Runs in 1883. His father, Thornton Wag- ner, also was a native of West Virginia, where he was engaged in farming. His education was re- ceived in the schools of West Virginia. As a boy he started work in the oil fields of West Virginia, where he learned the rudiments of the business. He came to Texas during the oil boom at Spindle Top, being active in that field for several years. He then followed the discovery fields of Texas as a contractor and producer, besides spending several years in oil fields of California and Mexico. When he first came to Texas, he purchased the best and latest in oil well drilling equipment, as the greater part of his operations were with his own machinery. In the Petrolia fields he drilled many wells on contracts, and later went to Burk- burnett where he drilled many producing wells. He then moved to Wichita Falls, where he lived until 1914 when he went to Strawn and contracted for the Texas & Pacific Coal & Oil Co. During this period he established his first supply house under the name of the Warren Wagner Company. In 1917 he went to the Ranger field, being the first contractor to drill there and after bringing in the McClusky well, established a supply house in Ranger, which was incorporated in 1919 under the name of the Wagner Supply Company. Later he established houses in Gorman, DeLeon, LeRay, and Breckenridge. In 1920 he discontinued drill- ing, moved to Fort Worth and made this city his headquarters after establishing the large supply plant here. Since his death, Mrs. Wagner has ad- ded to the chain until in 1929 the company owns nine complete supply houses in West Texas, be- sides the main house in Fort Worth. Mr. Wagner was practically forced into this business, to take care of his five strings of tools running day and night, there being no supply houses in West Texas at that time. He found this field more profitable than drilling.
Mr. Wagner was married in Shreveport, January 23, 1907, to Miss Norma Swift, a native of Texas, born in the historic town of Nacogdoches. Her father, the late T. J. Swift, was a rancher and cattle raiser. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner: Carlos, educated in the University of Texas, and Furlo, attending high school in Fort Worth. The Wagner home is located at 1808 Hill- crest Street.
Mr. Wagner died in Fort Worth, May 9. 1921. During his residence in this city, he was active in every movement for the upbuilding of his city and was widely known and had many friends in all parts of the country. His friends naturally were largely among the oil fraternity, and he was loved by all, from the man in the humblest position to the offi- cials of the largest oil companies. After his death Mrs. Wagner took active charge of the business, which is one of the largest in Texas, incorporated for $750,000.00.
The executives of the company are Mrs. Norma Wagner, president, Lee Teutsch and Carlos Wag- ner, vice presidents, and J. W. Gordon, secretary and treasurer, and thirty people are employed. In the oil world there were few men more capable than Warren Wagner, and years may pass before we see his like again as an executive and as a friend to the many who admired and loved him for his many wonderful traits of character.
ILLIAM CAPPS, a pioneer of Fort Worth, not only was one of the outstanding at- torneys of this city and Texas, but took an active part in the development of the city and was a leader in political circles. Mr. Capps was eminently fitted by education and natural ability to become one of Fort Worth's most prominent lawyers, and he brought to bear in his legal career a wisdom and soundness of counsel, and a brilliance as a trial lawyer that won him distinction, not alone in Fort Worth, but throughout the state. He had those solid quali- ties that make a lawyer a power in his communi- ty, and his position as a civic leader was of no less importance than his standing in his profession, and few men took a more active part in the civic life of his city. Mr. Capps also was deeply in- terested in political affairs, and was a leader in local politics, as well as political events of wider scope.
William Capps was born in Livingston, Ten- nessee, on the twentieth day of May, 1858, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander F. Capps, natives of Tennessee, Mr. Capps spent his boyhood in his native state, and received a splendid education, graduating in law from Lebanon University, at Lebanon, Tennessee. He came to Fort Worth as a young man, in 1875, having taught school for a short time at Johnson Station, near Arlington, prior to coming here. On his arrival in Fort Worth he began the practice of law, and for a number of years was associated with Sam Furman, a pioneer in the legal profession here. He later formed an association with Sam B. Cantey, one of the out- standing pioneer attorneys of Texas, thus forming the law firm of Capps & Cantey that was to become known over Texas as one of the strong- est and most successful law firms in the state. Later Messrs Hanger and Short were taken into the firm and it became known as Capps, Cantey, Hanger & Short. The firm was retained by many of the leading firms and corporations of Fort Worth and had one of the largest practices in the city.
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