The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 81

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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Mr. Reagan was married in Dallas, September 6. 1886 to Mrs. J. B. Powell, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who was brought to Texas by her parents when a small child and was reared and educated in this state. Mrs. Reagan was first married to J. B. Powell and one daughter was born to them, namely: Geraldine Powell, deceased. Her parents, Alexan- der and Mrs. Katherine (Teague) MacDonald, were natives of Scotland and members of well known families of their communities. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Reagan: Helen Bernice, now Mrs. H. T. Phillips of Birmingham. The Reagan home is located at 724 Pennsylvania avenue.

Mr. Reagan died in Fort Worth, December 30, 1920. He was a member of the A. F. and A. M. and the Order of Railway Conductors. During the long period in which he resided in Fort Worth, he was active in all civic and educational movements and was especially interested in the education of the youth of his city. As a member of the legislature he rendered valuable service to his state. Few

railroad men have ever been held in higher esteem than was Mr. Reagan, who was loved by all who knew him. His life made up of loyalty to purpose, uprightness and a human feeling for his fellow man, is worthy of the emulation of those who desire a successful career. The vacancies left by these sturdy men are being filled by those who owe much to the pioneers who blazed the way for the rapid progress of today.

AMES MOORE GREEN of Dallas, spent al- niost his entire life in the different branch- es of the implement business and knew this business as few men have known it. He was one of the best known implement men of his time, traveling in many parts of the United States for various manufacturing implement organiza- tions.

A native son of Kentucky, Mr. Green was born in Hopkinsville November 15, 1868. His father, John Green, was a native of Kentucky, where he was a member of a highly esteemed family. His mother, Mrs. Mary ( Moore) Green, was a native of Kentucky. His early education was received in the schools of Hopkinsville, after which he be- came a student of a military college of Kentucky from which he graduated with honors. Mr. Green's father was a large land owner in Kentucky and the subject of this sketch grew up on the farm and as- sisted his father in the various kinds of work. As a young man he started in business for himself, choosing the implement business for the vehicle to success. For several years he continued in the im- plement business at Hopkinsville with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Co., and in 1910 he was trans- ferred to the Texas territory with Dallas as his headquarters and was manager of the collection department. Later he became assistant manager of the Dallas branch and his genial personality and executive ability had much to do with the success achieved by this organization. In 1917 or 1918 he was offered the position of assistant branch mana- ger of the S. W. Division at Racine, Wisconsin, but on account of ill health of a member of his family he did not accept.

Mr. Green was married in Dallas, May 19, 1922, to Miss Idabelle Spykes, a native of Rives, Ten- nessee. Her father, J. C. Spykes and mother, Mrs. Sarah (Stovall) Spykes, both were natives of Rives and members of prominent families of that city. By a former marriage, four children were born to Mr. Green. The Green home is located at 604 Elsbeth Street.

Mr. Green died in Dallas May 3, 1924. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Shrine of Dallas. He also held membership in the Presby- terian Church, the Retail Credit Men's Association, the Dallas Implement Association, the Dallas Coun- try Club, and was a charter member of the Cedar Crest Country Club. Mr. Green was regarded by the implement fraternity as one of its leaders and an advocate of the highest standards and was an in- cessant worker to keep this industry on the highest plane of business principles. His record with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company was perfect and he was esteemed by employees of this organiza- tion, besides having hundreds of friends in all parts of the country. The city of Dallas was made het- ter by Mr. Green, with his unswerving loyalty to principle and his code of conduct, having lived with- in its portals.

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OUNG BURNETT DOWELL was a pioneer educator and lawyer of Texas, having start- ed his career as an educator and after his admission to the bar at Eastland, Texas, in 1886 he became one of the State's leading lawyers. Mr. Dowell's life was of that ample kind that over- flows the confines of the professions and he had a desire to enter the business world, which he did and was as successful in this as he had been in the professions.

A native of Kentucky, Mr. Dowell was born near Princeton, Caldwell County, November 19, 1857. His father, Gabe Dowell, a native of Kentucky also, came to Texas in 1871, settling in Wood County, near Quitman where he was engaged in farming for the remainder of his life. His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Dowell, was a member of a pioneer Kentucky family. His parents came to Texas in a covered wagon drawn by a team of horses, and brought Mr. Dowell when he was fourteen years of age. His early education was received in the schools of Quitman and Mineola, after which he entered Sam Houston State Teachers College at Huntsville, graduating from this institution with the class of 1881. After teaching one year he returned to this college, took advanced work, and graduated with the class of 1882 and 1883. He then resumed teach- ing, becoming the principal of the Graham Public Schools but after one year he resigned in order to accept the principalship of the Cisco Public Schools. During this time Mr. Dowell devoted his spare moments to the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Eastland in 1886. He then started the practice of his profession with Hon. T. B. Wheeler, Lieutenant Governor of Texas with whom he was associated until 1889. He then moved to Dallas, where he continued the practice of his profession. He was active in movements for the betterment of his city and served in various capacities in order to assist in governmental affairs. He was, for sev- eral years, Alderman of the Seventh Ward before the Commission form of government. He resigned as Alderman in order to become City Attorney, serv- ing in this position during 1893-94 and resigned after a successful regime in order to devote his time to his law practice. While practicing law, he was active in the insurance and loan business here, and while a resident of Cisco became a newspaper man, editing the Cisco Roundup during the years of 1886 to 1889, and was associated with other business enterprises there. During the later years of his life Mr. Dowell was engaged in the insurance and loan business, establishing the National Live Stock Insurance Company, and for many years devoted his entire time to farm, ranch, and city loans and Insurance, having offices in Quanah, Seymour, Cor- pus Christi and Wichita Falls, with the headquar- ters office of the business in Dallas.

Mr. Dowell was married in Dallas July 28, 1886, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Bailey, born on a plantation in Lee County, Alabama, and a member of a promi- nent family of that State. Her father, Thomas C. Bailey, was born on a plantation in Georgia, his father, Allen Lane Bailey. having moved to Ala- bama when his son was a small child. Allen' Lane Bailey was a large plantation owner of Alabama. Following the Civil War, Thomas C. Bailey and family came to Dallas, coming by rail to New Or- leans thence by boat to Galveston and over the Houston & Texas Central Railroad to Dallas. On

arrival here he engaged in farming for a few years, maintaining the home of the family in Dallas. Later, he engaged in the lumber business, being Manager for many years of the Fleishel Lumber Company, the largest organization of its kind in Dallas at that time. The mother of Mrs. Dowell, Mrs. Georgia (Rowell) Bailey, a native of Alabama, was born on a plantation about eighteen miles from Montgomery. She was a daughter of Howell Rowell and Eliza- beth Walton. The latter was a daughter of a big planter of Virginia. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dowell: Herbert Bailey Dowell well known in the business circles of Dallas, is married and has two children, Elizabeth Clark and Dorothy Herbert; Georgia Elizabeth, now the wife of Dr. Richard Bishop Moore, Dean of Science at Pur- due University. Dr. Moore was chief chemist of the Bureau of Mines for several years and during this time. developed helium and radium. He established the helium plant at Fort Worth and the radium plant at Denver. The third child is Marie An- toinette, now Mrs. Will Brotherton, whose husband was an honor student of Terrell School and com- pleted his studies at Boston Tech and Yale. Mr. and Mrs. Brotherton have three children; William Henry Jr., L. S. 2nd, and George D. Mrs. N. B. Ford, a sister of Mrs. Dowell is a writer of note and the editor and owner of the Motherhood Maga- zine. She also was very active in mothers clubs and parent-teachers associations work for many years.

Mr. Dowell died suddenly in Wichita Falls, April 29, 1921, being active in all his business affairs to the time of his death. He was a Mason and a life member of Hella Temple Shrine and for more than twenty years prior to his death was a Steward in the Grace Methodist Church. His career, in the pro- fessions and business enterprises in which he was engaged, was noteworthy and brought not only hon- or to himself but credit to the State of Texas. A lovable man he made friends wherever he went and was at home with young people as well as old. In the death of Mr. Dowell, Dallas and Texas lost a courageous, efficient and optimistic citizen, and a business man of the type that a city can ill afford to lose.

EV. GEORGE C. RANKIN, D. D. In chronicling the records of men who were factors in the religious life of the Lone Star State there is no name more worthy of note than that of Dr. George C. Rankin, who for almost a quarter of a century wielded a power- ful influence in the religious affairs of Texas. In 1892 he came to Houston as pastor of Shearn Methodist Church. Since that time the name of Dr. Rankin has been connected with the religious development of Texas and in the publishing of the Texas Christian Advocate, which he edited for fifteen years. Prior to his coming to Texas, Dr. Rankin built up many Methodist Churches in other states, starting as a circuit walker, later using a saddle-horse for his motive power. After four years spent in Houston, Dr. Rankin came to Dallas and soon thereafter, became editor of the Texas Christian Advocate.

A native of Tennessee, Dr. Rankin was born in Dandridge, Jefferson county, Tennessee, and was a member of one of the oldest families of that state.

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: , father, Creed W. Rankin, for his day was well .ated and successful in his undertakings. By sion he was a farmer and managed the large a. tation of his unele, Major Lawson D. Franklin. ¿ was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was active in the Masonie fraternity. Dr. Rankin's ther, Mrs. Martha J. (Clark) Rankin, was a Time of Cooke County, Tennessee. Her father, viton Clark, was a farmer by oeeupation and - owner of many slaves and a fine plantation. , mother was a methodist of the old-fashioned When the subject of this sketch was eleven vars of age, his father died and with his brother, was sent to live with his paternal grandfather. time he went to live with an unele, but at age of fourteen years returned to his mother. He farmed his mother's land and during his spare ments studied.

The first work of Dr. Rankin by which he earned any real money was in stone quarry at a wage of 3: 30 per week. He quit this job because of ; ofanity used by the men and moved to Georgia where he had an unele on a farm. He remained .here for several years, working, attending sehool a:d in September 1866 joined the church. Soon he attended his first conference, this being the Intriet conferenee, held at Dalton, Georgia. He &rard Bishop Pierce preach, and this lead him to the ministry. After the harvesting of the corn And cotton which had been planted by himself and Srother, young Rankin entered the Students' Home School, condueted by Professor Burkett. After the end of the year, he was forced to work in order to pay his tuition and this with keeping up his studies, almost ruined his health, but he persevered and finished as valedietorian of his elass after three cars, which were filled with toil, hardship and deprivations. After a few months of rest at home, he became the teacher in a country sehool in a remote section of the county. During the fall he aided the old circuit minister in several meetings, also preaching sermons. Later he went to the North Georgia Conference and to Resaea as a circuit worker, with Tilton, only a few miles distant, with Cove City later added, walking from one ap- pointment to the other. After a year he entered z sehool at Resaea where he laid the foundation for his college work. The following two years he studied in Hiwassee College. After this he was prepared to fill any pulpit. About the middle of 'i." '70s he was sent to Holston, where many of - a kinsmen lived, and where he met sueeess.

Dr. Rankin was married to Miss Fannie L. D'enton, of Dalton, Georgia, who aided him greatly in the service to the church and who passed away on January 4, 1929. His first ehureh after he had married was in Wytheville, after which eame an asignment to Knoxville, which continued four

Years Another four years were spent in Chat- 'annoga, and a like period in Asheville. In 1890 he freived a letter from Bishop Key, of Fort Worth, asking him to transfer to Texas. From that time the influence was felt throughout the Southwest, there he was a power in the Methodist Church ..

Six children were born to Dr. and Mrs Rankin : faura, now Mrs. Walter Stevens, of Dallas; Miss Mattie Jane Rankin, of Dallas; Louie Boyd, now Mr. H. A. Tillett, of Abilene, Texas; George C. ' lerensed since 1921) ; Miss Snow M. Rankin, : "with director of the Titche-Goettinger Company,

of Dallas, and Ruth, now Mrs. W. T. Millikin of Dallas. The Rankin home is located at 3013 Swiss avenue.

Dr. Rankin died in Dallas, February 2, 1915. In 1912 he published a story of his life, which dealt in a very modest manner with his work in the ehureh and as an editor of the Texas Christian Advocate, but did not tell of his great achievements in the ehureh and in other fields. Dr. Rankin was a true Christian and throughout his life he made reference to the day of his eonversion, and always referred to it as the wisest day in his life, and as the years advaneed his convietions beeame deeper and he often told elose friends that if he had a thousand lives to live he would gladly dedicate them all to the service of Christ. No history of Texas could be written without frequent reference to Dr. George C. Rankin and his work which will ever stand as a monument to christianity and Methodism for eoming generations.

RED KREY was a pioneer in the business life of Dallas where, for almost thirty-five years, he was successively associated with some of the leading firms of this eity and was known as one of its esteemed business men and citizens.

A native of Germany, Mr. Krey was born on April 22, 1864. His parents both were natives of Ger- many and members of well known families. His education was received in the sehools of Germany. After finishing sehool Mr. Krey learned the miller's trade and for several years pursued this work, prior to his eoming to Ameriea. When he first eame to Texas, he settled in New Braunfels, where he re- mained one year and then came to Dallas where he was associated for two years with one of the leading dairy plants. He then went with the Hughes Bros. Manufacturing Company, where he remained for a few years and was known as one of their most efficient men. He then was employed by the Stand- ard-Tilton Flour Mills as a miller, with whom he remained for seven years. He then became asso- eiated with the Waters Pierce Oil Company, serving this corporation in various eapaeities for seven years. At this time he went on a visit to Germany where he was caught by the World War and where he was foreed to remain for seven years. When he returned to Dallas his health was broken by the experiences and hardships which he had to endure while in Germany and he was never able to take up any business pursuits again.

Mr. Krey was married in Dallas, in 1880, to Mrs. Rosa (Barena) Zaruba a native of Austria. Her father, George Barena, also a native of Austria, was a soldier and tailor. Her mother, Mrs. Eliza- beth Barena; also was born in Austria. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Krey, Albie, at home. They Krey home is located at 2319 Pine Street.

Mr. Krey died in Dallas, July 25, 1923. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Presbyterian Church. Throughout his long residenee in Dallas Mr. Krey was a worker for the upbuilding of his . eity, and gave of his aid and time to projeets having the eivic advancement of Dallas as its object. Throughout his life here, he was regarded as one of the most reliable, trustworthy and efficient men of the enterprises which he served and had a host of friends in Dallas.

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MEN OF TEXAS

LAYTON WEST, tor almost a quarter of a century was a resident of Dallas, and during this period was engaged in various fields of activity, in which he was success- ful. His rise in the business world was noteworthy, being a self-made man in every sense of the word. Leaving home when nine years of age, he made his way in the world after that time. His first work was selling newspapers in Philadelphia, after which he went to New York City, where he continued to sell papers on the streets, until he secured a position as news agent on one of the trains run- ning out of Philadelphia. During this period he studied and took up stenography, in which work he became an expert. Coming to Dallas in 1891 he secured a position as stenographer with the

Howell Shoe Company, later becoming associated with the firm of Scarff & O'Conner, of this city, remaining with this organization until it was sold out. He was promoted to the position of travel- ing salesman for this firm, remaining in this posi- tion for a period of twelve years. He then formed the partnership of West & Cullum Paper Company of Dallas, remaining as a member of the firm for many years, and was largely instrumental in its success.

A native of Sussex County, Delaware, Mr. West was born, September 21, 1871. His father, James D. West, a native of Delaware was a factor in the commercial affairs of his state and his mother, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth West, also was of a Delaware family. His education was received in the public schools of Delaware up to the time he reached his ninth birthday. Later he took a business course, but his real education was obtained in the school of experience by his contact with men and things.

Mr. West was married in Dallas, June 24, 1897, to Miss Claudia Carter, a native of Dallas County, and a member of a pioneer family of this part of the state. Her father, Joseph J. Carter, a native of Georgia, came to Texas in the early '50s and set- tled within six miles of where the city of Dallas now stands, but at that time a mere village. Mr. Carter farmed throughout his life and was one of the most esteemed citizens of this county. Her mother, Mrs. Mattie (Wilmut) Carter is eighty- two years of age and resides with her. Mrs. Carter came to Texas from Kentucky, in the early '50s. Benjamin Wilmut, Mrs. West's grandfather located about eight miles south of Oak Cliff and was a pioneer farmer of Dallas County. Her uncle, E. Wilmut, eighty-four years of age, is a Confederate veteran and resides at Wheatland. The West home is located at 4224 Hall street.

Mr. West died in Dallas, February 13, 1914 when only forty-three years of age. He was a member of the K. of P. lodge, the Methodist Church and was active in all matters for the betterment and development of his community. He had many friends in Dallas and Texas, where he was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.

ORRISON MEAD DAVIS of Dallas, known in his early manhood as "The Boy Preach- er," for almost thirty years was one of the best known and most eloquent men of the pulpit of the Southwest. In addition to being one of the greatest preachers of his time Rev. Davis was one of the most efficient and successful organizers of churches and the citizenship of many of the out-

posts and villages of the country now have the priv- ilege of attending divine services in a church of his organization. He also was one of the most noted re- ligious writers of his time, his writings being veri- table sermons in ink, read with great interest not only by the members of his denomination, but by all denominations and non-members of churches. He was first a gentleman, next a christian and then a preacher.

A son of Virginia, Dr. Davis was born in Pitt- sylvania County June 21, 1850. He enlisted in the Confederate Army under General Lee at the age of fourteen years, becoming orderly sergeant of a company of one hundred and forty men, all under the age of twenty years. In 1872 he entered Ken- tucky University, now Transylvania, but became ill and his continued failing health forced him to leave school. Many years later, while Pastor of Central Christian Church of Dallas, he did work in Add Ran, now Texas Christian University, and received his master's degree, yet prior to this time his writ- ings had been accepted as coming from a college graduate. His contributions were largely to relig- ious magazines and periodicals. For many years he was editorial writer for the Christian Standard, many of his communications found an important place in the Christian Evangelist and the Christian Companion and Apostolic Guide profited by his pen for a generation, while he was twice editor of the Christian Courier. Like his manner in soci- ety and his style in the pulpit, his writings were characterized by gentleness of expression and sweetness of appeal, but when occasion demanded his pen could be as trenchant as it was facile, as positive as it was appealing. He started preaching as a very young man in Kentucky while still in college and during his vacation periods. Later. he preached in various country churches in Missouri, after which he removed to Nevada, Missouri, and for five years had charge of the church at that place, but while located there he organized no less than ten churches around Nevada. He spent one year at Butler, Missouri, as pastor of the church there and built up a large membership. He then went to Sedalia, Missouri, where he built the Chris- tian Church, in which he preached for five years. He then came to Dallas, Texas, and built the well known Central Christian Church and preached in this edifice for eighteen years. He preached for more than thirty years in Dallas and was one of the best loved pastors and citizens of this city, known to practically every resident. In 1919 Dr. Davis was forced to retire from his activities in the pul- pit and Church on account of failing health.

Dr. Davis was married in Saline County, Mis- souri, February 2, 1876, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Davis, a member of a prominent Missouri family. Her father, Joseph Price Davis, a native of Callo- way County, Missouri, was an active figure in the affairs of his community and State. Her mother. Mrs. Elizabeth Ann (Lakin) Davis, was a member of a pioneer family of Kentucky. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Una Campbell, now Mrs. William M. Peck of Corsicana, Texas. She was married in Dallas December 21. 1898. The Davis home is located at 4509 Live Oak Street, the family residence for more than thirty-five years.

Dr. Davis died in Dallas May 27, 1926. Since early manhood he was a member of the Christian Church and as a minister, perhaps no man in the annals of the religious history of the country ever

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did more concrete good than did Dr. Davis. His life served as a crucible for the testing of his creed before he advocated it to men. Coming to Dallas in 1890 he preached first in a small frame house on the site now occupied by the Young Men's Christian Association building. Leading his congregation in building the house still occupied by the Central church which has been somewhat changed and great- ly improved, he continued his pastorate for eighteen years. After an absence from the pulpit for about a year on account of illness he served for eight years as pastor of the church on Ross Avenue which afterward became a part of the congregation on Greenville Avenue. Ile was in retirement from his good work for about seven years before his death.

Dr. Davis was honored and beloved by all with whom he came in contact, and his wonderful Chris- tian life will live in the memory of the generations which he served as only a Christian and a gentle- man could.

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The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 81

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