The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 68

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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Dr. Sherman's life was a successful one; kind. courteous, generous, far-visioned and progressive he included within the scope of his thoughts and vision the betterment and relief of his fellow man. He left an unblemished record of a life dedicated to unselfish and purposeful service, the greatest heritage any man can leave.

IRAM MORRISON, of Dallas, was a leader in the financial and real estate circles of this city where the greater part of his hold- ings were centered. He was a member of a pioneer Texas family whose ancestors were far- sighted business men. His father was known as a financial genius and he inherited his superior busi- ness ability.

A native son of Texas. Mr. Morrison was born in Bryan, December 8, 1871. His father, Hiram Morri- son, a native of South Carolina, came to Texas as a young man, with a capital of twelve dollars, and at the time of his death was one of Texas' financial factors. IIe followed the route of the Houston & Texas Central railroad, made investments in real estate at each of its terminals and in that manner accumulated some fine properties. Hiram Morri- son's mother, Mrs. Lucy (Hardy) Morrison, was a native of Virginia, who was brought to Texas by her parents as a small child. His education was re- ceived in the schools of Dallas, and Washington and Lee University. After finishing college. he re- turned to Dallas and managed his father's many in- terests. Following the death of his father, Mr. Mor- rison continued to manage the properties of the es- tate and his own personal interests. The estate con- sists of five thousand acres of farm land in Ellis and Dallas Counties, and city property. He also was engaged in lending money on real estate for many years.

Mr. Morrison was married in Dallas, September 23, 1893, to Miss Maude White, a native of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Her father. Capt. P. J. White. studied and graduated in medicine, but was in the dry goods business in Sulphur Springs for many years. Her mother, Mrs. Mary (Beck) White, was a native of Texas, and a daughter of Dr. H. W. Beck, one of that state's outstanding physicians. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrison : Hiram Louis, who was educated at the Terrel' School for Boys, Dallas and the Liberty College of Liberty, Missouri, and is a 32nd degree Mason; and Misses Dorris and Gladys. The Morrison home is located at 4824 Reiger Avenue.

Mr. Morrison died in Dallas January 13. 1900. He was a member of the Dallas Chamber of Com- merce and was active in the workings of this org !- ization. With a strong personality and lofty ideal- of commercial and civic virtue, Mr. Morrison occu- pied a place of leadership in the financial, business. civic and social life of his city on which. indelibly he impressed the seal of his usefulness.

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OHN HENRY JONES, of Dallas, for many years was an active figure in the cotton brokerage business of the Lone Star State and was a leader in all educational matters, ais activities and achievements in this field being especially noteworthy.

Mr. Jones was born near Uniontown, Alabama, July 28, 1840. His parents, William and Mary (Bush) Jones were both natives of Petersburg, Vir- ginia, and members of prominent families. His education was received in the University of Ala- bama from which he graduated in 1861. He enlist- ed in the Confederate Army of Virginia immediate- ly after finishing his education. His experiences in the army were out of the ordinary. He was made a prisoner in Virginia, he having been commissioned a lieutenant in the meantime and taken to John- son's Island. Here the system of drawing beans to pick the unlucky prisoners prevailed. Mr. Jones drew a black bean and was orderd to be shot, but the Southern generals on hearing of this plan made it plain that if such a course were carried out, they would retaliate by shooting the same number of Northern prisoners, and this threat saved his life. Mr. Jonesand his five brothers were in the Southern Army at one time, but all came through the war, but with their health impaired and three of the brothers died soon after the close of hostilities. Mr. Jones was a prisoner for two and one-half years and was released at the close of the war. Broken in health, without funds, he started anew with a firm determination to succeed. His good education came in as a valuable asset and his first work after leaving the army was teaching school near Selma, Alabama, later at Marion, Alabama, where he was professor of mathematics. Later, he became a cotton broker in Alabama, continuing in this field for several years. In 1873, he moved to Galveston, and was employed by Grinnan-Duvall, cotton bro- kers. He remained in Galveston until 1876, when he located in Bryan where he continued his cotton activities. In 1879 he moved to Dallas where he became one of the leading cotton men in this part of the State. Always a champion of education, Mr. Jones, soon after locating in this city, and while en- raged in the cotton business, wrote the ordinances for the Dallas public schools and organized the first school board of this city. He was appointed presi- dent of the board and served for a short time, but later resigned and devoted all of his time to the cot- ton industry.

Mr. Jones was married in Montgomery, Alabama, November 21, 1872 to Miss Carrie Pearson, a na- tive of Alabama. Her father, James Madison Pear- son, was one of the leading lawyers of Alabama. Her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) Pearson, a native of Madison, Georgia, was a member of the Nevill Brown family of Virginia. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones: Dr. Bush Jones, a leading dentist of Dallas; Dan Jones (deceased since May 5th, 1916), and Augusta, now the wife of B. E. Hayden, who for a quarter of a century has been a United States government engineer. The Jones home is located at 3602 Gaston Avenue.

Mr. Jones died in Dallas Aug. 27, 1888, and was the last of ten children. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas and helped build several churches in Texas. When Mr. Jones came to Texas from Alabama, cotton was the chief de- pendence of the State, and he assisted much in

making Texas the greatest cotton producing State in the world.

Mr. Jones had a forceful personality and was versatile in his tastes. He was one of the first men of Texas to recognize the importance of organiza- tion in commercial enterprises and all through his career in the cotton industry, he served in an ex- ecutive capacity in numerous organizations for this purpose. Mr. Jones was a strong personality and a man of large influence in Dallas, not only because of his friendships, but because of the judgment knowledge and experience he brought to bear in his every day life.

EORGE WESLEY TALBOT, of Dallas, for many years was prominently identified with the insurance business of this city, where he represented some of the largest and oldest insurance organizations of the country.

A native of New York State, Mr. Talbot was born on October 17, 1858. His father, Hiram V. Talbot, D. D. was a native of New York State also and a member of a pioneer family which settled there in the early days. Rev. Talbot was chaplain during the entire period of the Civil war and con- tinued as a minister of the Methodist Church throughout the remainder of his life, being one of the best known and loved members of the clergy of his time. His mother, Mrs. Rosina (Colegrove) Talbot, was a member of a prominent family of New York State. His early education was received in the public schools of his native state and later he graduated from college in New York State. Prior to entering the insurance business Mr. Talbot had a wide and varied business career, withal a success- ful one, which he started as a very young man with the Pennsylvania railroad in Pennsylvania, where he remained for several years. Then with his father, he entered the stone masonry business at Dunkirk, Ohio where for several years they were successful in quarrying granite. His father's health failing, they sold out and came to Odessa, Ector County, Texas, where they remained for four years when they moved to Cleburne where Mr. Talbot became chief clerk for the Santa Fe rail- road. After two years, Mr. Talbot located in Temple, Texas, where he entered the insurance field, con- tinuing there until he moved to Dallas where he built a successful business.

Mr. Talbot was married in Winterburn, Penn- sylvania, to Miss Elizabeth G. Torbert, a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania and a member of a prominent family of that city. Her father, grand- father and great-grandfather were born in Penn- sylvania, being among the earliest settlers of that state. Her mother, Mrs. Anna Mary (Grafius) Tolbert, also was a native of Pennsylvania, and was the fourth generation of that family born in that state. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Talbot : Mary Torbert and Edith, both of whom reside with their mother at 2411 Hillside Drive, Country Club Estates.

Mr. Talbot died in Dallas, June 30, 1918. He was a member of the Methodist Church and was a liberal contributor to this church and to chari- table institutions and organizations. In the field of insurance, Mr. Talbot was an expert who lived up to the ethics of the profession, and as a citizen, he was one of the most esteemed of Dallas.

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MEN OF TEXAS

OHN KEETON ROSSON, of Fort Worth, was a pioneer in the cattle business of this state, and was associated with every branch of the industry, from cattle raising and marketing to serving as livestock agent for three of Texas' leading railroads, and handling stock on a commission basis.

A native of Kentucky, Mr. Rosson was born in Meade County, June 11. 1864. His parents, John K. and Mrs. Pauline B. (Dalton) Rosson, were members of outstanding families of their respec- tive sections of Kentucky. In 1870. his parents moved to Lincoln County, Missouri, where he lived on a farm until he was twelve years of age. He then came to Young County, Texas, where he lived on a farm for several years with an uncle. From 1877 to 1882, young Rosson was engaged in haul- ing merchandise from Fort Worth to points in West Texas. His main distributing centers being: Bell Plains, Jacksboro, Graham, Belknap and Fort Griffin. Freighting in those days not only was an arduous, but at times a very dangerous occupation. In recalling the early days, Mr. Rosson said "When I came to Texas in 1876. there was only one house between Fort Worth and Weatherford. There was not a fenced in section of land along the entire route of travel and in order to keep the Indians off our trail, we camped and ate our supper before dark and then moved on several miles, so they could not see our fire at night, and in this way prevented them from stealing our horses and doing other depredations." In those days there were no pastures, and in the spring of each year, the cattlemen would, go on a general roundup. At this time there were few settlers in the country and all ranches were known by their brands, and by the time they got back to their range, they would have many thousands of cattle, and these were cut out as they came to each man's ranch. Prior to 1880, the majority of the big herds of beef cattle were marketed by driving them over the trail to Kiowa, Caldwell. Honeywell, and Dodge City, Kansas, and the majority of them went over what is known as the Chisholm Trail. After the early '80s the majority of the cattle were driven to Gainesville, Denison and Fort Worth. Fort Worth soon developed into a market center for the south- ern and western part of the state. In 1883 Mr. Ros- son located in Abilene. soon after the Texas & Pacific railroad was built through this city, and from that time to 1890 he was associated with one of the largest commission firms of Chicago and purchased and shipped cattle to the Chicago market. In that year he became livestock agent for the Frisco railroad under John G. Taylor. In 1893, he associated himself with the Campbell Live- stock Commission Company, which was opening an office in Fort Worth, through the influence of G. W. Simpson, promoter of the Fort Worth Pack- ing Company. Mr. Rosson was manager and sales- man for this firm until he resigned in 1895 to ac- cept a position with the Missouri. Kansas & Texas railroad as general livestock agent. After eight years of service with this railroad, and at the time the Swift and Armour Packing companies were completing their packing plants in Fort Worth. which was in November. 1902. Mr. Rosson resigned his position with the M. K. & T. railroad and organized the firm of Campbell & Rosson, of which he was two-thirds owner, president and general

manager. In point of service, Mr. Rosson was the oldest commission man on the Fort Worth market. In 1926, he sold this business to John Clay & Company, but remained as vice-president. He regularly attended the meetings of the Interstate Commerce Commission, in Washington, D. C., always helping the cattlemen in every way possible. Perhaps no member of the livestock fraternity of Texas worked harder or accomplished more for the cattlemen of the southwest than did he.

Mr. Rosson was married in Abilene, Texas. December 16, 1884, to Miss Clara Edith Gibson, a daughter of Jules A. Gibson, who spent the greater part of his life in the post office at St. Louis, Missouri. He came to Abilene in 1883, and to Fort Worth in 1885, where he engaged in the pro- duce business. The father of Mr. Gibson was a noted criminal lawyer in St. Louis County. Missouri, and was one of the pioneers of the city of St. Louis. Jules A. Gibson was a first cousin to Mrs. U. S. Grant. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rosson: Florence Fay, now Mrs. Haywood Rice, of Calvert, Texas; Ethel Dean, now Mrs. R. Q. Pierce, of Lubbock, Texas; Gladys, now Mrs. J. A. Collins, of Marlin, Texas; Ruth, now Mrs. Brooks C. Grant, of Washington, D. C .; John Keeton, Jr., owner and manager of the Nehi plant, at Waco, Texas; Margaret, now Mrs. L. E. Davis, of Lubbock, Texas; Cornelia F., at home, and Joseph Weldon, in business with his brother at Waco. The Rosson home is located at 1302 West 13th street.

Mr. Rosson was one of the best known livestock men of the country and was identified with the cattle industry from the early days of the open range to the development of Fort Worth as one of the greatest packing house and livestock centers of the southwest. He was a member of the Cattle Raisers' Association since its organization in 1887. He took an active part in the movement that re- sulted in proper refrigeration of beef in transit. He was a Democrat of the old school, but never held a public office. Mr. Rosson was the father of the Jim Crow law in Fort Worth, similar laws were passed throughout the state and South. Mr. Rosson was a member of the Baptist Church and was one of the most charitable men of his time, his purse always being open to the needy and those in distress. His passing on August 7, 1927, left a place in the livestock industry of Texas and in the citizenship of Fort Worth, that will not be filled.

ILLIAM JACKSON SOUTHERN was a pi )- neer farmer and stockman of Texas, hay- ing moved to this state in 1877, and set- tled in Johnson County, near Alvarado. where, for forty years, he was prominent in farm- ing and stock raising activities of that county.

A native of Tennessee. Mr. Southern was born in Murry County. October 2. 1863. His father, John Southern, a native of Kentucky, was a well known farmer in the states in which he lived. His moth- er, Mrs. Emma (True) Southern, was a member of one of the state's outstanding families. His edu- cation was received in the schools of Tennessee. As a young man, he started his career as a farmer in his native stato, where he continued to farm untl he came to Texas, and again started his activitie : in this field to which he added the raising of live- stock. Mr. Southern spent his entire life as a

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farmer because he loved farming. Perhaps, ın

the history of Johnson County, no man ever lived within its environs who had more friends than did Mr. Southern.

Mr. Southern was married in Johnson County, Texas, October 1, 1891, to Miss Lydia P. Donahoe, a native of Johnson County, and a member of a pioneer Texas family. Her father, C. C. Donahoe, a native of Mississippi, came to Texas in the early days, and was one of the esteemed and successful farmers of Johnson County. Her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Alexander) Donahoe, was a member of a well known family of Georgia. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Southern, six of whom are living: T. M., of Dallas; Myrle, now Mrs. L. J. Barrett, of Cleburne, Texas; Loraine, now Mrs. W. R. Selvidge, of Fort Worth; Ernest, of Oklahoma City, and Charles and Jennie Mae, of Fort Worth. The Southern home is located at 2109 5th Avenue.

Mr. Southern died in Johnson County. May 20, 1921. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Baptist Church. While Mr. South- ern did not reside in Fort Worth, he had many friends in this city. He was truly one of the pio- neers of Johnson County, starting farming there when the entire acreage was given over to grazing cattle. He was one of the first to diversify, there- by proving that almost everything may be raised in that part of the state if given proper cultivation. Mr. Southern also was one of the most enterprising farmers of his time, and did much to aid the farm- ing fraternity in Johnson and contiguous Counties. His passing occasioned profound sorrow through- out Johnson County, which had been his home for more than forty years.

ENRY DICKSON WIMBISH, of Fort Worth, spent his life in the building trade, and during his residence here, ex- tending over a period of more than a quarter of a century, some of the finest residences of this city were erected by him and today stand as a monument to his handiwork as an expert in his chosen field.

A native of Mississippi, Mr. Wimbish was born in Iuka, September 13, 1870. His father, G. W. Wimbish, a native of Mississippi, was engaged in farming and merchandising. His mother, Mrs. Martha (Aldridge) Wimbish, was a native of Mis- sissippi, and a member of a well known family of that state. His education was received in the schools of Mississippi, which he left at an early age in order to enter the world of business.

In 1886. Mr. Wimbish came to Texas, after hav- ing read and heard much of the Land of Oppor- tunity, and being a young man with energy and ambition, he went to work serving as an appren- tice in the carpenter's trade. He soon became one of the best of his trade, building many houses in various parts of the state. In 1898, he came to Fort Worth, and his real work in the line of building started here. He was reliable and expert in his undertakings, and enjoyed the full confi- dence of the citizenship of this eity.

Mr. Wimbish was married in Itasca, Texas, De- cember 19, 1898, to Miss Fannie MeGossett, a. native Texan, and a member of one of the state's pioneer families. Her father, Frank McGossett, a native of France, came to Texas in the early days and became a factor in the agricultural circles of Hill County. Iler mother, Mrs. Lou (Dillard)

MeGossett, was a native of Tennessee, and a mem- ber of a pioneer family of that state. The Wim- bish home is located at 909 Elmwood Avenue, where they have resided since coming here.

Mr. Wimbish died in Fort Worth, June 26, 1924. He was a member of the Carpenters' Union and the Christian Church, in both of which he took a keen interest. During his residence in this city, he was a constant worker for its upbuilding and betternient. He encouraged the building of better residences, and it was largely through his influence that many families own their homes to- day. He was a judge of values in real estate and was a finished mechanic, loved his work and de- lighted in a piece of work well done. He had a host of friends in Fort Worth and throughout North Texas.

LINTON BARR was one of the pioneers of the business life of Fort Worth, where for more than thirty years he was engaged in the wholesale and retail grain industry. During this long business period, Mr. Barr was a recognized leader in the civic and political life of this city which he helped to develop while building his own interests. His first venture was in dairy- ing and farming near Fort Worth, with his brother as his associate. Later, with his brother, he en- gaged in the grocery field and so continued until he entered the grain business on a small scale. This undertaking grew to be one of the largest in the city.

A native of Virginia, Mr. Barr was born in Win- chester, March 10, 1848. His father, Hugh Barr, and his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Arnold) Barr, were natives of Virginia and members of pioneer families of that state. His education was received in the various schools of Virginia. Prior to coming to Texas he was engaged in various fields of busi- ness and brought to his adopted state a wide knowl- edge of the world of commerce, especially merchan- dising and agriculture.

Mr. Barr was married in Fort Worth, July 24, 1884, to Miss Pauline Ayers, a native Texan. Her father, J. H. Ayers, a native of Tennessee, came to Texas in 1848, and became a well known figure in the business and agricultural life of this state. Her mother, Mrs. Louise (Baer) Ayers, was a native of Switzerland. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barr, three of whom are deceased: Louise, now Mrs. T. G. Hollingsworth, of Fort Worth; Ida, now Mrs. C. D. Jackson, of Fort Worth; O. L. Barr, an overseas veteran, and now a business man of Fort Worth, and J. Il. Barr of Los Angeles. The Barr home is located at 2109 Hemphill. Mrs. Barr now lives at 2508 Rogers Avenue.

Mr. Barr died in Fort Worth, August 31, 1927. He was a member of the First Christian Church. Mr. Barr was one of the leaders of that group of far-visioned men whose hardihood and public spirit started Fort Worth cityward. Throughout his life he was a worker for the upbuilding of his eity and was in the forefront of every enterprise launched for its development. He had many friends here and in North Texas. He was one of the first men of Texas to handle grain in carload lots only, and since he selected Fort Worth as the city for his residence and business ventures his name was closely linked with many historic phases in the growth of this city.

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EORGE SQUIRE OTEY, merchant and manufacturer of Dallas, came to this city in 1912, organized and built up the. Hesse Envelope Company, one of the largest and most successful organizations of its kind in Texas.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Otey was born in West Carrollton, September 29, 1877. His father, Will Otey, also a native of West Carrollton, Ohio, was an active figure in the business life of his city. His mother, Mrs. Jane (Schuder) Otey, was a member of a well known Ohio family. :His education was received in the public schools of West Carrollton and as a young man, began his career in a papermill of Ohio, where he remained for about two years. After a few years in the bak- ing business he entered the envelope industry with the Mercantile Corporation of Dayton, Ohio, where he remained for five years, during this time he learned the envelope business in all its branches. He then moved to Dallas where he founded the Hesse Envelope Company, which kept pace with the growth of Dallas and has become one of the most important manufacturing plants of this part of the state, employing a large number of people. He had other interests and was a director in the State Bank & Trust Co .; now known as the State Trust & Savings Bank.

Mr. Otey was married in Miamisburg, Ohio, April 5, 1900 to Miss Estella Monce, a native of Ohio and a member of one of that state's fore- most families. Her father, David Monce, also a native of Ohio, was one of the best known rail- road men of his native state. Her mother, Mrs. Mary (Long) Monce, was a member of one of the early families of Ohio. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Otey: Paul A., who is one of the leaders among the younger generation of business men of Dallas. Ile started his career with his father in the envelope manufacturing business, and is now in charge of the manufacturing plant of the Hesse Envelope Co. Mr. Paul A. Otey is a member of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood Country Club. Mrs. George S. Otey is president of the Hesse Envelope Co., in which she owns the controlling interest. The Otey home is located at 3511 Dartmouth Avenue.

Mr. Otey died in Dallas November 8, 1925. He was a member of the A. F. and A. M. lodge in Miamisburg, Ohio, the Dallas Christian Church the Dallas Athletic Club, the Lakewood Country Club and Kiwanis Club. Throughout his residence in this city Mr. Otey took an active part in all civic matters, and assisted in every way its development. Mr. Otey was a strong personality and a man of large influence in his community, and his career brought honor to himself and credit to his state.

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The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 68

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