The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 73

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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751

MEN OF TEXAS

TOHN THADDEUS LOFTON for almost forty years, was a leader in the cattle and ranching industry of Texas, owning a large cattle ranch, a part of which was in Garza County, and a part in Lynn County. He was a pioneer cattleman, with many friends in Fort Worth and throughout Texas, where he was well known and esteemed. While he spent his entire life in the cattle business, he made his home in Fort Worth.

A native of Georgia, Mr. Lofton was born in Lexington, November 19, 1864. His father, Col. John Thaddeus Lofton, entered the Civil war with the Confederate army and was killed in one of the major engagements during the war. His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Johnston) Lofton, was a member of a prominent Georgia family. His early edu- cation was received in the public schools of Georgia, after which he became a student of the University of Georgia, at Athens, from which he graduated in 1883. While he was educated for the law, he never practiced his profession. After leaving college he came to Texas, settling in the western part of the state where he engaged in the land and stock business, both of which was on an extensive . scale. With some associates, he owned the land that later sold to the Post ranch at Post, Texas. While a boy eighteen years of age, Mr. Lofton was a clerk in the State Legislature at Atlanta, Georgia, and this experience was always a pleasant memory to him in his later life, and one of which he had reason to be proud.

Mr. Lofton was married in Fort Worth, Decem- ber 3, 1888, to Miss Lora Young, a native of Illinois, but reared in Texas, where her parents were pioneer settlers. Her father, Col. W. C. Young, a native of Missouri, served with the army of the South throughout the Civil war and was promoted to a colonel during the conflict. Her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Rutherford) Young, was of an outstanding family of the State of Missouri. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lofton : Elsie, now Mrs. W. K. Stripling, of Fort Worth, and Margaret, now Mrs. A. F. Spengler, of Okla- homa City. There are two grandchildren; W. K. Stripling, Jr., and Arthur F. Spengler, Jr. The Lofton home is located at 4617 Crestline Road.

Mr. Lofton died in Fort Worth July 21, 1921. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Fort Worth Club, of which he was a charter mem- ber and the First Methodist Church. Coming to Fort Worth in 1884, Mr. Lofton was closely identi- fied with the social, civic and commercial life of this city for almost four decades and exerted an influence for good throughout a wide range of the city's activities, where he indelibly left the imprint of his usefulness in its upbuilding and development.

ILLIAM EDGAR MOUNTCASTLE came to Fort Worth in 1907, and for more than a decade thereafter owned and operated one of the leading retail drug stores of this city. He handled only high class merchandise, . building up a large business that extended through- out the city. He also established himself in the estimation of the public by the painstaking methods employed in his prescription department. He employed only registered pharmacists, trustworthy and experienced, and his customers had faith in his medicines and merchandise. Mr. Mountcastle

had a quick delivery service, which at that time was an innovation in Fort Worth and this feature added to the popularity of his store.

A native of Tennessee, Mr. Mountcastle was born April 5, 1866. His parents, Theodore L. and Mrs. (Shugart) Mountcastle were natives of Tennessee, and members of pioneer families of that state. They moved to Texas when the subject of this sketch was a small boy. His

education was received in the schools of Ten- nessee and Texas. As a young man, Mr. Mount- castle worked in a lumber yard and a grocery store. He then engaged in the drug business in Weatherford, Texas, where he remained for about ten years. He then came to Fort Worth, where he considered the opportunities for business ex- pansion better, and started the drug store which beeame one of the best in this city.

Mr. Mountcastle was married Alabama, November 13, 1905, to Miss Frances Louise Crom- well, a native of Alabama and a member of a well known family of that state. Her father, John Turner Cromwell, was engaged in farming in Alabama and his native state, Tennessee. Her mother, Dempsey (Stinson) Cromwell, was a mem- ber of a prominent family of Alabama. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Mountcastle; William Edgar, Jr. The Mountcastle home is located at 700 May street.

Mr. Mountcastle died in Fort Worth, January 10, 1918. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and took a keen interest in civic matters and gave of his material aid and time to all proj- ects having the betterment of his city as its object. Mr. Mountcastle was an exponent of the highest standards in business, and he exerted an influence for good throughout a wide range of the city's activities.

ATHANIEL EUCLID GRAMMER, for more than a quarter of a century was prominently identified with the business life and the progress and development of Fort Worth. He came to this city in 1884, and started a drug store which he operated during the entire time in which he resided here.

A native of North Carolina, Mr. Grammer was born in Turner's Crossroads, March 25, 1863. His father. Dr. R. J. Grammer, and his mother, Mrs. Martha Elizabeth (Green) Grammer, were natives of Virginia and members of well known and esteemed families of that state. His education was received in the Mary & Henry College of North Carolina. About 1879 he came to Texas and soon thereafter started to work in his profession in Gilmer, Upshur County, where he remained for several years and then went to Tyler where he continued as a druggist but after a few years mov- ed to Longview. He remained in Longview until May, 1884, when'he came to Fort Worth, and the following year started his drug store here, which grew to be one of the largest and most modern in this city. While he was active in business, he was a leader in all matters having to do with the upbuilding and development of Fort Worth. Ile was a keen-sighted business man, and his drug store was abreast of the times. He was a charitable mon and helped the poor in all parts of the city, and was widely known and had a host of friends.

Mr. Grammer was married in Longview, Texas. October 21, 1885, to Miss Lula Whaley, a native of

752

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J. J. Lofton

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

irak County and a member of a pioneer family : that county. Her father, Frank L. Whaley, a stive of Georgia, came to Texas in the early days i'd for many years was engaged in the mercan- .e business at Longview. Her mother, Mrs. Mary Caroline (Rogers) Whaley, was a native of Fennessee. Five children were born to Mr. and X ... Grammer, four of whom are living: R. M., weretary and treasurer of Maxwell-Clark Whole- Ax ... Drug House of Fort Worth; Gladys, now Mrs. :thomas W. Johns, of Bristol, Virginia; Nathalie, ~. w Mrs. E. E. Evans, of Fargo, North Dakota; and Mary Elizabeth, at home. The Grammer res- Jence is located at 2232 College Avenue.

Mr. Grammer died in Fort Worth, November 6, 1.+11. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, .n which he held practically every office. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner of Hella Temple and was honored with the K. C. C. H. degree. He was also a member of the Fort Worth Club and the Methodist Church.

In his work as a druggist, he did much to keep this business up to the highest standards. With Mr. J. P. Nicks, he organized the Fort Worth and Tarrant County Druggists' Association. In ad- dition to his drug business he was interested in other worthwhile enterprises here, being vice pres- Ment of the State National Bank and owning stock in other concerns. He had been a factor in the affairs of Fort Worth for so long that his death left a vacancy in this community.

ILMOT IRVING BROKAW, of Fort Worth, was a pioneer in the railroad service of the country, having started in this line soon after the close of the Civil war and for more than forty years was active in the various branches of this service in different parts of the l'nited States and Mexico. He was one of the best known men of the railroad fraternity, and had friends in every section of the country. He was equally popular with the executives of the various railroads for which he worked and his fellow workers.

A native of New York, Mr. Brokaw was born in Rochester, June 20, 1842. His father, John W. Brokaw, also was a native of New York State, where throughout his life he was active in business life. His mother, Mrs. Effa (Grundyke) Brokaw, was a native of Canada. His education was re- ceived in the schools of Rochester, New York and Springfield, Ohio. He was nineteen years of age when the Civil war started and he volunteered for service, serving throughout the war in the Union Brmy. After the close of the war, Mr. Brokaw started his career in the railroad service at Cen- tralia, Illinois, as a locomotive fireman but after about one year he was made an engineer and re- mained in the employ of this road for six years. Later, he went to Rolla, Missouri, where he entered the employ of the Wabash railroad with which he remained until 1871 when he came to Palestine, Texas, where for about eight years he was associated with the International & Great Northern railroad. He then went to Manzanillo, Mexico, and was engaged in railroad work there for two years. Returning to the States he located in Salt Lake ''ity. where he was employed as master mechanic for two years, after which he went to Moberly, Missouri, and for two years was employed as master mechanic. Ile then took up engineering again and

for a year was locomotive engineer for the Rock Island railroad. In 1889, he located in Houston, where he entered the service of the International & Great Northern railroad in charge of the round- house remaining until 1903. At this time he moved to Fort Worth where, for five years, he was in charge of the International & Great Northern rail- road roundhouse. At the end of this period he re- tired from active work on account of failing health.

Mr. Brokaw was married in Galveston, June 2. 1890, to Miss Helen Wilkie, a native of England and a member of a well known family of that coun- try. Her father, David Wilkie, was a native of Manchester, England, and her mother, Mrs. Helen Wilkie, was a native of Scotland. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brokaw: Effa, now Mrs. A. C. Martin, of Oak Lawn, Tarrant County. and John Wilkie, well known in the business life of Indianapolis.

Mr. Brokaw died in Fort Worth, November 26, 1910. lle was a member of the A. F. and A. M .. the Knights of Pythias, the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers, and while he was not a member of any church he was of the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Brokaw had a host of friends in Fort Worth from every walk of life, who esteemed him for his many fine traits of character, chief among which was his loyalty to a friend.

HARLES SCHARF was a pioneer railroad man of Texas and had a share in the early development and building work of several roads of the state and was known as one of the most efficient members of the railroad fraternity of his time.

A native of Germany, Mr. Scharf was born October 28, 1853, and was brought to the United States by his parents when ten years of age. His father, Godfrey and his mother, were natives of Germany. His education was received in the schools of Cleveland, Ohio. He started his career as a cigar maker, in Cleveland, and continued in this work for several years. He then came to Hico, Texas, where, for nine years he was foreman of repairing and building for the H. & T. C. railroad. During his railroad career in Texas, he lived in many places, and for many years resided in Kenne- dale, eleven miles southeast of Fort Worth.

Mr. Scharf was married in Marlin, Texas, May 24, 1883 to Miss Caroline Weiland, a native of Germany. but reared in Texas. Her parents. Godlieb and Mrs. Martha (Wurst) Weiland, were natives of Germany and of representative families. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Scharf. three of whom are living: Emma, now Mrs. George Blum, of Fort Worth; Charles, of Los Angeles: and Fred, of Fort Worth. The Scharf home is located at 1815 Jennings avenue.

Mr. Scharf died in Fort Worth. January 20. 1908. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. Starting his career here in the early days of rai !- roading. Mr. Scharf spent about forty years in this work and was active up to the time of his death. He was held in the highest esteem by the +Areu. tives of the railroads that employed him and was known as a trustworthy and capable man. While his work was confined to railroads, he always found time to devote to the betterment of his community and state. Mr. Scharf was a man of unswerving loyalty to principle and his code of conduct was an inspiration to all who came in contact with him.

753

MEN OF TEXAS

G. HALSELL was a pioneer of the cattle industry of Texas, having started in the cattle business when the Lone Star State was a vast empire without fences, and cattle had free range. Other than an occasional herd of cattle, the only inhabitants of the prairie spaces were the buffalo, wild horses and game of all kinds, which roamed at will without fear of the hunter who came with a later civilization.

A native of Alabama, Mr. Halsell was born in 1843. His father, Electious Halsell, a native of Alabama also, came to Texas in the early '50s, and farmed in Collin and Wise Counties. He was educated on the frontier of Texas and reared on the great plains of the north and west part of the state. Mr. Halsell did his first ranch work, as a young man, for Dan Waggoner, one of the largest ranch owners of Texas of his time, learning about the raising, handling and marketing of cattle. About 1870 he engaged in the cattle business for himself, in Wise County. He bred and raised cattle, also increased his herds by purchase from time to time, until he had one of the largest herds of cattle in this part of the state. He continued in the cattle business in Texas until 1878, when he sold his entire herd and moved to Oklahoma, then known as Indian Territory. He built up a large herd there which, on account of his failing health, he sold about 1885, retiring from activities of all kinds at that time.

Mr. Halsell was married in Wise County, Texas November 15, 1866, to Miss Julia F. Earhart, a native Texan and a member of a pioneer family. Her father, J. B. Earhart, a native of Pennsyl- vania, came to Texas in 1843, and engaged in stock raising. There are four living children of Mr. and Mrs. Halsell: Maud, now Mrs. J. E. Mit- chell of Fort Worth; Furd, engaged in the cattle business, being well known throughout Texas as a leader in this line; Glenn Yarbrough and Jose- phine. The deceased children were Mrs. Tom Simmons, George, and an unnamed infant. Mrs. J. G. Halsell has eight grand-children. The Halsell home is located at 556 Eighth Avenue.

Mr. Halsell died in California, March 2, 1886. He was a member of the A. F. and A. M., the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Pythias and the Meth- odist Church. After his death, Mrs. Halsell con- tinued to live in Decatur until 1909 when she mov- ed to Fort Worth and this city has been her home since that time. Mr. Halsell had many friends among the pioneers of Texas, and among the younger generation, and his good deeds will ever abide, treasured within the hearts of those who knew him and loved him for his many admirable traits of character. He was of the old school of cowmen, which picturesque type has about faded from the view, "Out Where the West Be- gins."

ILLIAM JASPER OZEE, of Fort Worth, was a pioneer in the cattle business, in which field he was very active in the early years of his life. In 1902 he came to Fort Worth, and for more than two decades was one of the leading contractors and builders of this city, the greater part of his activities being in Rosen Heights, where. with his son as his asso- ciate, he built more than one thousand residences.

A native of Indiana, Mr. Ozee was born April

28, 1853. His father, Michael Ozee, came to Texas when the subject of this sketch was three years of age. The family settled here in 1856, when Fort Worth was a trading post on the fron- tier, and the fort for the protection of the set- tlers from Indian raids. Michael Ozee, for many years, was engaged in stock raising and farming, and so continued until his death. His mother, Mrs. Patsy (Stephenson) Ozee, was a native of Kentucky, and a member of a well known family of that state. He attended school very little, but was well educated through reading and study. As a boy he worked on his father's ranch, where he remained in this work until he was twenty-four years of age. Later he moved to Clay County, remaining there about six years, then taking a bunch of cattle to Taylor County, where he lived until the fall of 1902. He then came to this city, settling in North Fort Worth, where he continued in the contracting business, having been engaged in this work on a small scale while residing in West Texas. His son, Olin, joined him here and they established an enviable record as home build- ers, both as to the number, and the splendid kind of work they did.

Mr. Ozee was married in Mansfield, Tarrant County, Texas, February 24, 1876 to Miss Jo- sephine Childress, a native Texan. Her father, Captain Hiram Cockrell Childress, born in 1812, came to Texas about 1830, and settled in Shelby County where he was a pioneer in the making of shoes and saddles. He was in the Mexican war, and served throughout the period of the Civil war, having made up a company at the outbreak of hostilities, and was made a captain. He was wounded and sent home, but in a short time he made up another company and was back in the fighting lines, and served until Lee's surrender, when he returned to Texas and lived on his farm until the death of his wife, when he went to live with the subject of this sketch. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ozee, five of whom are living: Daisy, now Mrs. S. B. Sheppard; Olin, one of the leading contractors of Fort Worth; Lon, associated with the Western Railway Weighing Association; Nancy, now Mrs. Vernon E. Crox- dale and Bob, for many years with Armour & Company, of Fort Worth. The Ozee home was located at 2017 Ross Avenue.

Mr. Ozee died in Fort Worth, December 16, 1923, and was buried in Merkel, Texas. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Pres- byterian Church. During his life he was active in civic matters of Fort Worth. When a young man, Mr. Ozee served as deputy sheriff of Tarrant county and established a reputation for fearless- ness as an efficient officer of the law. He did more during his career to aid the citizenship to home ownership than perhaps any other builder. Mr. Ozee was an unusual student of the Bible. and often was called upon for assistance by Bible students. and even by ministers. He had many friends, being a man who had the warmth and sympathy which enabled him to make fast friend- ships, and these he created in a number that made hini one of the most popular citizens of Fort Worth. His death brought more than the ordin- ary degree of grief to the citizenship of Fort Worth, particularly to that diminishing number of veterans of whom he was a comrade.

754

J. G. HALSELL

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

EDWARD COOLEY. For nearly a score of years, J. Edward Cooley was identified with manufacturing activities in Fort Worth, and during this period built up one of the large factories of the city. Mr Cooley came to Fort Worth in 1908, after having spent several years in Dallas, and established the Texas Boiler & Tank Company, of which he was presi- dent and manager until his death. This company, started on a small scale, met with a consistent growth, and with the passing years, became one of the largest businesses of its kind in the city. Mr. Cooley also organized and built the Perfec- tion Ice Company, which ranked among the lead- ing ice plants of the city. Mr. Cooley was vice president of this company, and took an active part in its management until his death.

J. Edward Cooley was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the sixteenth day of October, 1877, and was a son of John W. Cooley and Emmar- illa (McBryer) Cooley. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley were natives of Tennessee. J. Edward Cooley was educated in the schools of Tennessee, after which he learned the boiler-maker's trade in Chat- tanooga, and was employed in various boiler man- ufacturing plants in that city. He became an ex- pert mechanic, and during his entire career kept in close touch with all progress made in his par- ticular field. In 1905, he came to Dallas, where he was connected with Harry Brothers for several years, following which he came to Fort Wortn, and established his own business.

Mr. Cooley was married in Dallas, the twenty- fifth day of June, 1906, to Miss Maizie Shackel- ford, a native of Franklin, Kentucky, and the daughter of Elijah G. and Katherine (Lewis) Shackelford, both of whom were natives of that state. Mrs. Cooley took an active interest in her husband's career, and it was largely through her encouragement that he was led to come to Fort Worth and establish his own business. During the years when his interests were being developed, she was his constant inspiration and help, and, " being a very capable business woman, took an active part in the operation of the business. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley were the parents of one child; Winnie Belle Cooley, deceased.

Mr. Cooley was a member of the board of dea- cons of the First Christian Church of Fort Worth for many years, and also held membership in the Elks, in which he took an active part. Mr. Cool- ey's death occurred in Fort Worth on the first day of August, 1925. He had many friends in Fort Worth, and while not aggressive in civic matters, he was deeply interested in all that concerned the development of Fort Worth, and did his part to- ward furthering all civic work.

Since Mr. Cooley's death, Mrs. Cooley has re- married and now is Mrs. Thomas E. Brandon, Mr. Brandon being district sales manager for Cook Paint & Varnish Company, of Fort Worth. Mrs. Brandon has taken an active part in church work in Fort Worth for many years, and was the first . superintendent of the Organized Sunday school, Junior department of the First Christian Church. She was soloist of the choir of this church for many years, and has taken a prominent part in musical events of this city throughout her resi- dence here. She organized and directed the Jun-

ior Euterpean Club, a musical organization of Fort Worth, and was one of the first artists to sing over WBAP, the radio station operated by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She has become a favorite of the radio fans in this part of Texas. Mrs. Brandon also conducts a manufacturing busi- ness, manufacturing a well known hair tonic from her own formula, and is ranked among the sulc- cessful business women of Fort Worth.

AMES FLEMING GRIFFIN, of Arlington. Texas, spent his entire life as a farmer and for two decades was engaged in ag- riculture in Tarrant County, where he raised cotton on practically all of his land. He was known as one of the most energetic, enter- prising and successful members of the farming fraternity in this part of Texas.

A native of this state, Mr. Griffin was born in Rockwall, April 20, 1861. His father, Thomas C. Griffin, was a pioneer of Rockwall County, and, for several years, served as judge of Kaufinan County, prior to the organization of Rockwall County, which at that time was a part of Kaufman. His education was received in the schools of Rock- wall and Forney. After finishing school, Mr. Grif- fin started to work on his mother's farm, his father having died prior to his leaving school, and he remained on the home farm until he had reached the age of twenty-one. He then rented land from his mother and for four years farmed for himself, and at the same time he was buying land. Later, he bought the old homestead consisting of two hun- dred acres and lived on that place until 1907 when he came to Arlington and purchased a farm con- prising three hundred and sixty-five acres, situat- ed five miles south of this city. He was one of the first in this section to engage extensively in raising cotton, and was one of the most success- ful. His land was cultivated by three tenant fam- ilies, but he gave his personal attention to it and at times worked along with the farm hands.

Mr. Griffin was married in Forney, Texas, Dc- cember 6, 1882, to Miss Clara B. Venner, a native of England, but reared in Texas, where her par- ents had settled when she was a child. Her father. William Christopher Venner, came from England to Texas in the early days, and settled in Kauf- man County, where he became one of the leading farmers. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Griffin: James C., who owns a fine farm at For- ney; Carrie, now Mrs. J. C. Rudd; George F., John V., and Walter. The last three are farming. The Griffin home is located at 406 West Abram Street, Arlington.

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The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 73

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