The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 85

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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His reputation for integrity, honesty and cour- age was unsurpassed. By nature, he was sympa- thetic, and always ready to extend a helping hand to those in distress. His personal friendship when once given, was never withdrawn without adequate cause. The example of his life is the richest legacy left to his children, although the provision he made for them was ample.

Captain Brown died at his country home near Rockport February 9th, 1915. He is survived by four children: Miss Ona Brown, a successful busi- ness woman and a leader in the educational and club life of Dallas; Mr. Edgar D. Brown, a prominent merchant of Clint, Texas, who has contributed largely to the development of the Rio Grande Val- ley section near El Paso; Miss Bessie H. Brown, a talented musician and successful piano teacher of Dallas; Miss Kate J. Brown, who has become profi- cient in the profession of occupational therapy.

OHN ROBERT TENISON, of Dallas, was a pioneer in the saddlery business of the Lone Star State and was one of the found- ers of the firm which not only was one of the largest of its kind in the Southwest and the United States, but of the world. He spent about forty-five years of his entire business life in this field and knew the saddlery business as few men have ever known it.

A native of Kentucky, Mr. Tenison was born in Covington, November 3, 1860. His father, John Robert Tenison, also was a native of Kentucky and a member of one of the oldest families of that state. Ifis mother, Mrs. Louise Tenison, was a member of a prominent family of Kentucky. His education was received in private schools of Dallas. He started in the saddlery line in this city in 1879 when nineteen years of age, with his brothers. William and Albert. Later William withdrew and E. O. Tenison became associated with the firm known as Tenison Brothers Saddlery Company. Traveling representatives of this company were

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sent all over the Southwest and the name of Tenison became synonymous with good saddlery and leather goods. Keeping up with the trend of the ames, the firm not only manufactures saddlery and harness goods, but also are makers of automobile tops and other accessories used in the automobile business. Mr. Tenison had other interests in Dallas, and was associated with one of the leading auto- mobile agencies of this city, namely the Tenison- Bair Automobile Company. During the fifty-six years of his residence in Dallas, Mr. Tenison was an active worker for the uplifting and development of this city where he invested in real estate which enhanced in value with the growth of the city.

Mr. Tenison was married in Zanesville, Ohio, June 25, 1890 to Miss Maude G. Inskeep, of Zanes- ville, and a member of an outstanding family of that state. Her father, I. N. Inskeep, a native of Ohio, was a leader in the business life of his com- munity. Her mother, Mrs. Cynthia A. (Garling- hous) Inskeep, was a member of a well known family of Topeka, Kansas. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tenison : Elmo C., well known in the commercial life of Dallas; John Robert, for many years active in the business and social life of Houston; William H., a leader among the younger generation of business men of Houston, and Maude Emily, now Mrs. C. H. Stewart, of Dallas. The Tenison home is located at 4845 Gaston avenue.

Mr. Tenison died in Dallas, July 23. 1922. He was a member of the B. P. O. E., the Dallas Country Club and the Presbyterian Church. During his long business life, he was an advocate of the high- est business standards. Of a kindly, courteous and genial disposition, Mr. Tenison commanded not only the respect, but the sincere and affectionate regard, of the entire circle of his acquaintances, and the death of no member of the business fraternity of Dallas caused more sincere sorrow than did his.

PENCER LAHUE. A pioneer traveling man of Texas, Spencer Lahue lived through some of the most interesting times in the history of the state, and some of his ex- periences during those times read like a chapter from an adventure story. Mr. Lahue came to Texas in 1867, as representative of the Simmons Tobacco Company, of Kentucky, and made his headquarters at Bryan. His territory extended as far as Brown- wood, and his trips were made in a hack, drawn by two mules, it requiring from three to four weeks to cover his territory. During that time he fre- quently camped among the Indians, and made friends among the different tribes. Later, Mr. Lahue went to Calvert and opened a lumber yard which he operated until his death, which occurred during a yellow fever epidemic four years later.

Spencer Lahue was born in Grayson County, Ken- tucky, on the second day of October, 1840. His father was a native of France and his mother was a Sebastian of Kentucky. Mr. Lahue's grandfather came to Kentucky from France during the early days of that state's history, and was engaged in the sheep raising business there until his death. Spencer Lahue, was educated in the schools of Ken- tucky, and at the age of twenty-two went to work for a tobacco company there. In 1867, he came to Texas.

Mr. Lahue was married in Calvert, Texas, on the twenty-ninth day of November, 1870, to Miss Agnes

Parker, a daughter of Washington Parker and Fran- ces (Flournoy) Parker. Mr. Parker, a pioneer of Texas, owned a large plantation here which he operated until after the Civil war, when he retired. Mrs. Parker was a native of Willingsville, Georgia. Mrs. Lahue was born in Clarke County, Alabama, and came to Texas with her mother in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Lahue had three children, Spencer, whose death occurred in 1925, Charles, whose death, occurred in 1882, and Lottie, wife of Mike Lively, prominent Dallas attorney. Mrs. Lahue makes her home at 3130 Mckinney Avenue.

Mr. Lahue was a Royal Arch Mason, an Oddfel- low, and a member of the Christian Church. His death occurred in Calvert, in 1873 he being but thirty-three years old at that time.

TOHN ALBERT CARVER, pioneer Texan and for many years a well-known farmer of Dallas County, made a commendable record and was one of the best known citi- zens in the eastern part of the County.

Mr. Carver was born at Mesquite, Dallas County, Texas, May 5, 1856. His father, Albert Carver was one of the earliest of the pioneers who came to Texas in 1849 and began farming near Mesquite. Here he remained until his death.

John Alfred Carver, received his early education in the public schools in Mesquite after which he went to work immediately upon his father's farm. He continued farming on his father's place until he reached manhood then he purchased a farm of his own adjoining the place of his father. IIis farm consisted of one hundred and thirty acres of fer- tile land on which he raised cotton and other staple products. He later built a cotton gin which he ran for a number of years. Later in his life, having by industry and frugality saved consider- able money, he retired from farming and estab- lished an office in Mesquite where he bought and sold cotton for many years and invested in Dallas real estate.

Mr. Carver took an active interest in political and educational matters. He made a great many friends and also was elected as one of the County Commissioners, serving in this capacity until his death.

Mr. Carver was married at Mesquite, July 23, 1894, to Miss Mary L. Evans. Mrs. Carver was a native of Alabama, the daughter of Thomas Evans who was a confederate soldier and a well-known planter in Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Carver bad seven children, Lillie, who was married to H. W. Marsh, Mary, who was married to Ed Arnett. Hat- tie, who was married to Will Mccutcheon. Kate. Sammie Lee, who was married to Pete J. Ven- turine, Ethel Sparks ,and Roberta married to Geo. Bickham. Mrs. Carver lives on the old Carver home farm.

Mr. Carver was a man of unquestioned honesty. He was a true christian gentleman with a genial nature and affable disposition. For more than a score of years he was Superintendent of Sunday School at Mesquite, teaching the younger genera- tion the elements of honor and morality. He al- ways took a live interest in Church work and was one of the organizers of the Pleasant Grove Chris. tian Church.

In his death, which occurred November 19, 1911. the citizens of Dallas County lost a revered citizen and the young. people a loyal and worthy friend.

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MEN OF TEXAS

MMET ATCHISON SKILES, a native son of Dallas county, Texas, had a wide and varied business career, but perhaps was best known as a banker, being for more than ten years president of the First State Bank of Plano, Texas. He was a large landowner of Dallas and contigous counties, the greater part of which was fine farming land, and was for many years active in the gravel industry, owning and operating some of the largest gravel pits of this part of the state.

Mr. Skiles was born, January 1, 1860. His father, Thomas A. Skiles, a native of Kentucky, cane to Texas as a young man, where for many years he was engaged in the milling industry being a pioneer of this work in Texas. His grandfather, Henry Skiles, was a pioneer in the business life of Virginia, having been born in that state, Novem- ber 15, 1773, where he was reared and lived throughout his life. His paternal grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Skiles, also a member of a pioneer Virginia family, was born in that state on October 20, 1785, (deceased since November 13, 1845.) His mother, Priscilla C. Skiles, (deceased since April 16, 1909) was a member of one of the fore- most families of Kentucky. His education was received in the schools of Dallas County. He started his career as a farmer in Dallas County, near Richardson, this being one of the finest farm- ing sections of this part of the state. Later, he engaged in the livery business, but remained in this field only a short time, when he opened a hardware store at Plano, Texas, which he operated for several years and was very successful, building up a large business. He then entered the banking business at Plano, becoming the executive head of the First State Bank at Plano at the time of its organization. After about ten years of service with this bank, he retired and devoted his time to his farms and gravel pits.

Mr. Skiles was married in Richardson, Texas, December 20, 1882 to Miss Sallie Allen, a native Texan and a member of a well known Dallas County family. Her father, John M. Allen, a native of Kentucky, was a member of one of the families of the early day history of Kentucky. The father of John M. Allen, William Allen, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was present at the surrender of General Cromwell at Yorktown, in 1776. He died many years later in Augusta County, Virginia. His wife, Jane Allen died in Cumberland County, Kentucky. The mother of Mrs. Skiles, Mrs. Elizabeth (Shannon) Allen, was a member of a prominent Kentucky family. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Skiles five of whom are living and are residents of Dallas: Ora- may, now Mrs. J. D. Smith, whose husband is engaged in the furniture business; Bettie Inez, now Mrs. C. E. Wyatt; John Allen, associated with the Texas Corporation; Benona Priscilla, now Mrs. C. G. Skinner, whose husband is associated with the planing mill industry here and Miss Mary Alice. The Skiles home is located at 5023 Live Oak street, where they have resided for many years.

Mr. Skiles died in Dallas, July 5, 1925. He was a member of the City Temple Presbyterian Church, where for twenty-five years he served as an elder and was active in all church matters up to the time of his death. As a loyal citizen of Dallas, he helped this city in every way in its upbuilding and

development, with his heart in the work. As a business man, he was honored and respected by customers and competitors. He was a man of vision, far-seeing yet conservative. In the pro- fession of banking and finance, he was one of its miost able figures. As a neighbor and friend, he was one of the best ever known, loved by all who knew him for his many wonderful traits of char- acter and for his many charities, believing his success was only the means for doing good to his fellow man. Of an old and honored Texas family, himself loyal to all its teachings and traditions. Mr. Skiles saw much service in business and finance. where throughout his life he wielded an influence for good, both by precept and example, that will live throughout the coming generations. An ardent churchman, he helped in the erection of many edifices, which he assisted to maintain throughout his life. The citizenship of Dallas and Dallas County will ever pay sincere tribute to the memory of one whose attributes endeared him to a wide host of friends and the name of Emmet Atchison Skiles has been made illustrious in the life of a great community.

EV. JAMES STERLING DUNN of Dallas for almost a quarter of a century was one of the leading Evangelical Ministers of the Lone Star State where he established churches and built up congregations in many towns and cities. He was one of the most active and loved ministers of the Church of Christ and one of the most forceful religious speakers of his time.

A native of Tennessee, Rev. Dunn was born in Readyville, March 30. 1874. His father, Thomas Franklin Dunn. also a native of Tennessee, was well known in the business and agricultural circles of that State. His mother, Mrs. Levisa E. (Nelson ) Dunn, was a member of a prominent family of Tennessee. His early education was received in the schools of Tennessee, after which he became a student of the Winchester Normal and still later attended Bible School at Nashville. He started his career as a teacher in the public schools of his na- tive State, continuing in this profession for about two years. He then moved to Colorado Springs, where he started preaching and for one year occu- pied a pulpit in that city. He then returned to Tennessee and preached in many parts of that State and in Mississippi and Alabama for a period of two years. In 1897 he moved to Rockwall, Texas, where he continued his ministerial work and two years later came to Dallas where he became one of the best known ministers of this part of the State. He did not confine his work to Dallas en- tirely but preached when time would permit in other parts of Texas.

Rev. Dunn was married in Denton, Texas, Decen- ber 25, 1900, to Miss Claudia Holland, a native of Dallas County and a member of a pioneer family of this part of the State. Her father, Henry Thom- as Holland, a native of Illinois came to Texas as a child and was a cattle raiser and farmer in Dallas County. Her mother, Mrs. Margaret E. (Jones) Holland, was a member of a Tennessee family who came to Texas in 1865. Sam and William Jones, Mrs. Dunn's uncles. were postmasters of Dallas. Three children were born to Rev. and Mrs. Dunn: Louise, a graduate of S. M. U. is now Mrs. L. C. Stephens; Thomas Sterling, educated at S. M. U. and now manager of the Sears Roebuck retail

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store, Dallas. He was married to Jennie Hill Bush of Dallas; and Claudia, a student. The Dunn home is located at 1218 West Jefferson Avenue.

Rev. Dunn died in Dallas February 3, 1922. Uniting with the Church of Christ at an early age, he soon became one of the leaders of this denomina- tion and it is said of him that at his death and buri- al, if a small flower were placed for every good deed he did, it would have become a bank many feet high. Rev. Dunn was a forceful Evangelist and his work in speaking had a wonderful influence on his hearers. Perhaps no man of his time or since did more for the good of his church than did Rev. Dunn, beloved minister, evangelist and Southern gentleman. 13.

ITZHUGH IRWIN HAWKES, a leader in the business, civic and social circles of Dal- las, Texas, for a period of forty years was associated with the firm of Sanger Bros., with whom he started his career in the business world as a cash boy when eleven years of age. He worked his way up through the uninterrupted four decades of service with this firm, which was the oldest and most important wholesale and retail dry goods establishment of Dallas, to the position of general manager and also was a director of this firm. He was one of the oldest employees of this establishment and to know Sanger Bros. was to know Fitzhugh Hawkes. Much of the business suc- cess achieved by Sanger Bros. was due to the efforts of Mr. Hawkes who also was a constant worker in all matters having to do with the develop- ment and progress of Dallas, giving liberally of his time and means to every project having as its object the welfare of his city.

A native of Virginia, Mr. Hawkes was born in Nottoway County, February 29, 1872. His father, The Rev. E. A. Hawkes, a native of Virginia, was one of the most loved ministers of the Methodist denomination of Virginia and Dallas. His mother, Mrs. Sarah (Irwin) Hawkes, was a member of one of the well known families of the State of Virginia. His education was received in the various schools of his native State.

Mr. Hawkes was married in Dallas, Texas, Octo- ber 12, 1893, to Miss Jessie P. Ilatch, a native of Illinois. She is the daughter of William H. Hatch of New York State and Catherine (Newell) Hatch of Ohio. Mr. Hatch was engaged in business in Dallas from 1883 to 1909. The Hawkes home is located at 2711 Holmes Street, this being the fami- ly residence for more than thirty-five years and is one of the oldest residences in this part of Dallas.

Mr. Hawkes died in Dallas September 9. 1922. He was a member of the Scofield Memorial Church, was an elder of this church and one of its most active workers. Besides his interest in the firm of . Sanger Bros., he was a director in the Mercantile National Bank of Dallas and liad many other inter- ests in this city. He was active in the management of Sanger Bros. up to the time of his death and was regarded as one of the most efficient business executives of this city. Mr. Hawkes was literally born into the business that was his life's work, moving along a road that led from cash boy to the presiding genius of a mercantile establishment that was the largest in the Southwest, employing nearly two thousand people, all of whom loved him.

He was never too busy to listen to their various stories, good or bad, and his advice was eagerly sought and freely given, in fact his business sagac- ity was in demand for numerous other business enterprises and in civic and municipal endeavors. Mr. Hawkes belonged to that class of men whose lives make a community great, and his influence has been indelibly stamped on Dallas and its citi- zenship.

R. JAMES PINCKNEY WEBSTER, of Dallas, was a pioneer in the grocery busi- ness of Texas, having founded the Webster Grocery Company, in the early days and for thirty years was one of the leaders in the wholesale grocery industry of the state.

A native of South Carolina, Dr. Webster was born, January 10, 1848. His parents, Andrew and Mrs. Sidney (Gosset) Webster, were natives of South Carolina and members of well known families of that state. His early education was received in the schools of Mississippi, and graduated in medicine from the medical college of Louisville, Kentucky.

After finishing college, Dr. Webster started the practice of medicine in LaFayette County, Missis- sippi, where he remained for about eight years and built up a large practice, but was forced to give up his profession on account of failing health. Later he engaged in the drug business in Oxford, Mississippi, which he continued for several years and then came to Texas, locating in Mckinney, where he was engaged in the retail grocery business for about ten years. He then went to Weatherford and founded a wholesale grocery store which be- came one of the largest in that part of the state. He continued in this line of business for about thirty years, and the Webster Grocery Company today is known throughout Texas as one of the largest and most complete of its kind, keeping pace with the development of the state.

Dr. Webster was married at Delay, Mississippi. April 25, 1875, to Miss Blanche Lynch, a daughter of James T. Lynch, a native of Georgia and a mnem- ber of a pioneer family of that state. Her mother, Mrs. Sallie (Ragland) Lynch, was a member of a prominent Virginia family. Seven children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Webster; J. G., of Dallas; A. A., of Weatherford; Don P., of Cleburne; Corabel, now Mrs. Charles F. Dewees, of San Antonio; Hallie. now Mrs. G. M. Field, of Dallas; Ruby. now Mrs. John A. March, of San Angelo; and Van Andrew, (deceased). The Webster home is located at 3736 Potomac street.

Dr. Webster died in Dallas, August 31, 1920. One year prior to his death he had retired from business and moved to Dallas where his sons are conducting the grocery business which he started in the early days. Ile was a member of the B. P. O. E., and the Methodist Church, He was prominently identified with many movements for the advancement of society, the upbuilding of the state and assisting in the relief to the needy. United in him were positiveness and gentleness, heroic courage and tenderness. admirable dignity with a social warmth that invited approach from employee, patron, stranger or friend. Few mnon in Texas were better known than Dr. Webster. certainly none were held in higher esteem.

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HARLES F. WEILAND for thirty-five years , was a leader in the commercial, fraternal and civic life of Dallas, where during the greater part of this period he was the president of the Charles F. Weiland Under- taking Company, one of the outstanding organi- zations of its kind in the state. Ilis leadership in fraternal circles was not confined to Dallas, for he was nationally prominent as well. Perhaps in the history of Dallas no citizen ever worked more diligently for the upbuilding of his city than did Mr. Weiland, who was always looking toward the betterment of his city and state.

A native of Indiana, Mr. Weiland was born in Indianapolis, January 4, 1870. His father, William C. Weiland, was a pioneer grocery merchant of Indianapolis, where he was engaged in this business for fifty-five years. Charles F. Weiland resided in Indianapolis until 1893 when he came to Dallas as state representative of the Massachusetts Whip Company. In 1895 he became Texas representative of the Parry Manufacturing Company of Indian- apolis. In 1910 he organized the Charles F. Weiland Undertaking Company, of which he was president. Ile was associated with other leading enterprises of Dallas, among which were the New Process Baking Company, of which he was presi- dent, and the Dallas Railway & Terminal Company, of which he was director.

Mr. Weiland joined the order of Knights of Pythias at the age of 21, April 21, 1891. He passed through all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, from outer guard to chancellor commander, becoming a past chancellor in 1901. He was elected as a grand lodge representative in 1904 and represented his subordinate lodge in 1905 and 1906. In 1904 he was appointed district deputy grand chancellor and served two years in the same capacity, his district being composed of Dallas and Rockwall Counties. Mr. Weiland was elected to the position of grand outer guard at Austin in 1908, and went through the various offices in the grand lodge to and including that of grand chancel- lor. He served one year as grand chancellor of Texas, being elected to that office in May, 1912. He was elected supreme representative from the State of Texas to the Supreme Lodge of Knights of Pythias in 1919 for a four year term and was re-elected for a like term in 1923. In 1915 he was elected as Imperial Ikfir of the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan and went through the various offices until he was elected imperial prince at the national meeting in Providence, R. I., in August, 1925. He was the first Texan to be elected to this office. He was a member of the Pythian Library Association, which formulated plans for the building of the present Pythian home of Dallas.

Mr. Weiland was a member of many organi- zations, namely: Couer de Lion Lodge No. 8. Knights of Pythias; El Maaez Temple, Dramatic order Knights of Khorassan; the Dallas Scottish Rite bodies, Pentagon Lodge No. 1080. A. F. and A. M .; Hella Shrine Temple, Odd Fellows Lodge; No. 66, Columbian Lodge No. 66, Sons of Hermann: the Sorglosen Lodge, the Maccabees, Dallas Lodge No. 71, B. P. O. E .; Loyal Order of Moose and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was past president of the Dallas Kiwanis Club, a member of the Dal- las Athletic, Lakewood Country, Glenhaven Country,

Hollywood Country, and the Knife and Fork Clubs, and the First Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Weiland was married in Indianapolis, De- cember 31, 1895 to Miss Cora May Goodman, a member of a well known family of that city. Her father, Daniel W Goodman, was a well known In- diana farmer. One child, now Mrs. Wendell C. Mer- ritt, of San Marcos, was born to Mr. and Mrs Wei- land. There are two grandsons, Wendell C., Jr., and Kenneth Weiland Merritt. The Weiland home is located at 6315 La Vista drive.

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The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 85

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