The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 86

Author: Davis, Ellis Arthur, ed; Grobe, Edwin H., ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Dallas, Texas Development Bureau
Number of Pages: 1328

USA > Texas > The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2 > Part 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Weiland died in Dallas, April 1, 1927. Few men of Dallas had a wider circle of friends and his death was felt by thousands as a personal loss. He was a friend-maker and as such was naturally attracted to organizations that enabled friends to work together for the general welfare. Mr. Weiland was a successful man who never allowed strenuous business activities to harden his person- ality. The outstanding feature of his life was his optimism, his unflinching faith in Dallas, in Texas, in the Southwest. He was a lovable man, making friends wherever he went. The following poem, which illustrates his life, was found in his desk after his death:

THE JOY OF LIVING

If nobody smiled, and nobody cheered, and nobody helped us along,

If each, every minute, looked after himself, and tlie good things all went to the strong,

If nobody cared, just a little for you, and nobody cared for me,

And we all stood alone in the Battle of Life, what a dreary old world it would be.

Life is sweet just because of the friends we have made, and the things which in common we share,

We want to live on, not because of ourselves, but because of the people who care.

Its giving and doing for somebody else-on that all life's splendor depends,

And the joy of this world, when we've summed it all up, is found in the making of friends.

OBERT ERWIN COWART was a pioneer lawyer of Dallas where he started the prac- tice of his profession in 1875 and for fifty years was not only one of Dallas' leading lawyers, but was a recognized authority on all branches of law throughout the Lone Star State.

A native of Georgia Mr. Cowart was born in Canton, August 22, 1844. His father, Robert Jack- son Cowart, was a native of Georgia and throughout his life was an outstanding figure in the profession- al and financial circles of that State. His mother, Mrs. Althea (Erwin) Cowart, was a member of a prominent family of North Carolina. His early education was received in private schools of Can- ton, Georgia, after which he became a student of the University of Georgia, located at Athens, grad- uating from that institution with honors. Later. he entered Columbia University, New York City and graduated in law from that institution where he also pursued a full literary course. Mr. Cowart served for a period of three years as a member of the 7th Georgia Regiment during the Civil War, and established a noteworthy record as a soldier. In 1874 he came to Texas, locating in Dallas the following year where he established his home and office, soon becoming one of the best known at-

802

Chas. Fr Weiland

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

torneys of the State. During his residence here !. was active in all movements for the betterment of Dallas and was sent to Washington with Com- rsodore S. W. S. Duncan on the Trinity River Navi- gation project, and for several years worked un- aringly on this project. Mr. Cowart was the confi- uential advisor to Postmaster General Sidney Burle- won, and was sent to Europe on several occasions by him to attend to matters having to do with his department.

Mr. Cowart was married at Dallas, Texas, June 19, 1879, to Miss Sophia Valentine Harper, a member of a prominent family of Sumner County, Tennessee. Her father, Robert Goodloe Harper, a native of Tennessee, was one of the best known and esteemed citizens of that State to which he had de- voted much time and aid in upbuilding. Her mother, Mrs. Sophia (Valentine) Harper, was a member of one of Tennessee's outstanding families. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cowart. only one of whom is living: Robert Erwin Cowart of Dallas. The old Cowart home, 1711 Corsicana Street has been the residence of the family for almost half a century and is one of the landmarks of that part of the city, and is still in a good state of preservation.

Mr. Cowart died in Dallas May 13, 1924. During the long years of his residence in this city he con- tributed the leadership and standing of a loved and highly respected member of the bar as well as the influence of a thorough-going gentleman to all re- lationships of life. Men of his sort are all too few.

ILLIAM REEVES BARNES was for more than thirty years a leading figure in the business life of Dallas, Texas, where he was successively engaged in several fields of activity, in all of which his success was noteworthy.

Mr. Barnes was born in Merriweather County, Georgia, December 28, 1846. His father, William Cunningham Barnes, was also a native of Georgia and throughout his life was well known in the busi- ness circles of his city. His mother, Mrs. Eliza (Matthews) Barnes, was a member of a prominent family of Georgia. His early education was re- ceived in the schools of his native State, after which he attended school in Alabama where he finished a prescribed course. Mr. Barnes served during the last two years of the Civil War. He tried to join the Confederate Army at the outset of the struggle but on account of his youth he was not accepted. He started his career in the mercantile business with his father at Senoia, Georgia, where he re- mained for many years. He then entered actively into farming and for two years farmed in Georgia, after which he came to Texas on a visit. He liked the Lone Star State so well that he removed to Dal- las where he engaged in the retail grocery business on Elm Street opposite Sanger Bros. and remained in this field of activity for a period of twenty years. He then engaged in the cotton business, buying the fleecy staple for a Dallas firni and con- tinued in this work for a decade. He was forced to retire from all business activities at the end of this period on account of failing health.

Mr. Barnes was married in Fayette County, Georgia, January 7, 1868, to Miss Celestia Mat- thews, a native of Georgia and a member of an old und esteemed family of that State. Her parents,

Thomas and Nancy ( Westmoreland) Matthew s. were both natives of Georgia and members of prom- ient families of that State. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes four of whom are !v. ing: Miss Sallie Belle of Dallas; William C. Barnes. of El Paso, Texas; Ida May, now Mrs. Arthur Emery of Dallas and Gussie, now Mrs. Edward Es- tes ot Dallas. Mrs. Barnes resides with her daugs. ter Mrs. Emery at 3515 Crescent Avenue.

Mr. Barnes died in Dallas December 15, 191". Ile was a member of the First Baptist Church in which he was an active worker. He was known throughout the territory in which Dallas is located as one of its most enterprising business men and public spirited citizens. He gave liberally of his material aid and time to every worthy project for the betterment of Dallas and the welfare of its citi- zenship.

JEORGE W. CROWLEY for more than thir- ty years was identified with the business life of Dallas where during the greater part of this period he was engaged in the feed business, his feed store being one of the oldest in this city. During the long residence of Mr. Crowley here he was active in projects for the betterment and progress of Dallas.

A native of the Lone Star State, Mr. Crowley was born in Tarrant County, May 8, 1857. His father, Richard Crowley came in a covered wagon to Tarrant County in 1845 from Missouri and was among the first settlers there. He was a farmer all his life, farming for about five years in Tarrant County after which he came to Dallas County where he resided the remainder of his life. Mr. Crowley attended the schools of North Dallas for a short time. His real education, however, came through self-help and in his contact with men of learning.

Mr. Crowley started work as a young man on his father's farm, later owning his own farm. He con- tinued to farm until he was thirty years of age. About 1894, while employed in a cotton gin. he lost his right arm and after this misfortune he engaged in the feed business, in Dallas, at the corner of Me- Kinney Avenue and Orange Street, under the name of the G. W. Crowley Feed Store, and in addition to selling feed of all kinds at retail, he also sold wood and coal. He sold this store in 1917 on ac- count of failing health, and moved to 364 South Fleming Avenue in Oak Cliff, where he opened : grocery store and Mrs. Crowley has operated this with success, and also resides at this address.

Mr. Crowley was married in Dallas, December 1. 1896. to Miss Lucinda Newton, a native of Tarrant County, and a member of one of the oldest familie < of that section of the State. Her father, Kenneth: Anderson Newton, came to Grapevine, Tarrant County in 1845, where he soon became one of the leading stock farmers of that section. There was only one residence in Dallas when he first saw what . is now a modern, progressive city, and that resi- dence was only a log cabin. The Crowley home is located at 364 South Fleming Street, where the family has resided since removing to Oak Cliff twelve years ago.

Mr. Crowley died in Dallas, January 16, 1927. Ile was a member of the Baptist Church and was one of the most active workers of this Church. Dallas suffered a distinct loss in the death of Mr. Crowley. who had been for many years a factor in the pro. gress and development of this city.

803

MEN OF TEXAS

ILLIAM DEANS, Contractor and Builder, was a pioneer in the construction business of Dallas where many of the homes for the early citizens of this city stand as a monu- ment to his handiwork and where he built contin- uously for more than forty years. Many of the younger generation of builders and contractors of this part of the State received their training under the able and careful guidance of this splendid citi- zen and builder.

A native of Scotland, Mr. Deans was born at Paisley, May 6, 1857. His father, William Deans, also a native of Scotland was a member of a promi- nent family of that country. His mother, Mrs. Mar- garet (Conn) Deans, was a member of a well known and highly esteemed family of Scotland, where she was reared, educated and married. His education was received in the schools and colleges of his na- tive land.

Coming to Dallas in 1882 he started to work as a carpenter, which trade he had learned in Scotland, and soon thereafter began in the contracting busi- ness. During the greater part of his building activ- ities, his work was confined to building residences and business houses in Dallas and North Texas, but when the World War came on, he entered actively into Government building, constructing Camps at various points in the United States.

Mr. Deans was married in Govan, Scotland March 19, 1886, to Miss Margaret Deans. a native of Pais- ley, Scotland. Her father, John Deans, was a na- tive of Edinburgh and a member of one of that city's best known families. Her mother, Mrs. Allison (Blythe) Deans was a native of Edinburgh also. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Deans, four of whom are living and reside in Dallas: Mar- garet, now Mrs. D. G. Scotland, William Wallace; Jeanie, now Mrs. J. E. Albin, and John. Allison, deceased, was the wife of Fred L. Bradley. Two children were born to this union: William B. and Allison I. The Deans home is located at 5318 Bel- mont Avenue. During the forty years in which Mr. Deans was a resident of Dallas he was active in every movement for the upbuilding and develop- ment of this city, where he was known as one of its most progressive business men and public-spirited citizens.

Mr. Deans died at Dallas May 1. 1922. As a res- ident of Dallas he contributed the leadership and standing of an esteemed contractor and builder as well as the influence of a thorough-going gentle- man in all relationships of life. As a builder, he was an advocate of the highest standards in this work. A man of rare sincerity, active in civie and comniunity organizations, his influence was al- ways evident for those things which he conceived to be for the good of Dallas. Men of the type of Mr. Deans are all too few.

OHN THOMAS MALEDON for more than a quarter of a century was well-known in the business world of Waxahachie where he was associated with the commercial and civic life and had an extensive acquaintance. He was engaged in the barber trade and in this capacity met the public and made a great many friends. Ile was actively interested in every enterprise which was identified with the progress of the community in which he lived and contributed his share towards every worthy cause.

John Thomas Maledon was born April 22nd,

1855, in the State of Michigan. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. George Maledon, natives of Michigan who later came to Arkansas and located at Ft. Smith. The elder Mr. Maledon was county sheriff for a great many years. Mr. Maledon was educated in the public schools in Arkansas. When a young man of twenty-seven years of age he moved to Waxahachie where he engaged in his profession and remained until his death.

Mr. Maledon was married in Fort Smith, Arkan- sas, July 4, 1887, to Miss Mattie Hudlin. Mrs. Male- don was a native of Indiana but was reared in Illi- nois where her parents later moved. Her father, George Hudlin, was a native of Ohio, and had land interests both in Ohio and Illinois. Her mother was Martha (Good) Hudlin, a native of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Maledon were the parents of three children, Myrtle, who now is Mrs. H. W. Howe of Dallas, (Mr. Howe is manager of the Standard Mechanical Com- pany of this city), J. T. Maledon, who is with the Southwest General Electric Company of Oklahoma City, and C. W. Maledon who is purchasing agent for the Southwest General Electric Company of Dallas.

Mr. Maledon was a man of genial nature and kind disposition who made a great many friends and was highly esteemed as a citizen in the community in which he lived. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. and the W. O. W. His death on July 6th, 1907, was mourned by a host of admiring friends. Since his passing Mrs. Maledon has moved to Dallas and the family residence is 4710 Junius Street.

ELESTE FOND came to Dallas from Ger- many as a boy of twelve years, grew to manhood here and became a factor in the commercial life of this city where his rise in the business world was a noteworthy achieve- ment.

Mr. Fond was born in France, October 16, 1860. His father, Frank Fond. also a native of France, was a leader in the cotton mill industry of that country. His mother, Mrs. Clara (Duprea) Fond, was a member of a prominent family of France. His education was received in the public schools of his native land. Landing in Dallas alone in 1872, this young lad, with little knowledge of the Eng- lish language and still less knowledge of American business methods, set about to obtain employment in order to support himself. His first work was in the brick yard of Mr. Michael, one of the pioneer brick men of Texas. By careful attention to his duties he learned this business and was promoted to the position of foreman. After some years in this capacity, Mr. Fond met with an accident, an injury to his lower limb which for a time threatened to make him a cripple for life. Being unable to walk well he severed his connection with the brick plant and in 1892 engaged in the liquor business with a location on Austin Street. He continued in this line until 1901 when he retired from active work on account of ill health.

Mr. Fond was married at Fort Worth, December 26, 1901, to Mrs. H. Scriber, a native of Freiburg. Germany. Her father, Ben Wurz, a native of Frei- burg, Germany, was engaged in the business of lin- en weaving. He died in 1873. Iler mother, Mrs. Mathilda (Hard) Wurz, also a native of Germany, was a member of a well known family of Freiburg. The two step-children of Mr. Fond are: Gustave Schriber, well known in the railroad circles of

804

Ah: andoMlrs. William Deans

دعقد والا سدجود الله سخر مراعاة الصحةابنعبد البراني.

J.C. Peric

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Texas, having been for many years a freight agent of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and Charles Schri- ber, a well known contractor of this city. The Fond home is located at 2715 Grand Avenue.

Mr. Fond died January 30, 1910, at the age of fifty years. His death occurred while on a trip to Germany for his health. He was a member of the Improved Order of Redmen. Mr. Fond was a quiet, unassuming man and his charities were with- out ostentation or outward show. As a citizen of Dallas he did much toward the upbuilding and development of this city, where he numbered his friends by his acquaintances.

SBELL CORNELIUS REVIS, for more than a quarter of a century, was a factor in the lumber and mill industries of Dallas, where he installed one of the largest mill plants, of which he was superintendent for many years. Before coming to Dallas, Mr. Revis had a noteworthy military career which took him to many parts of the United States and to several foreign countries.

A native of North Carolina, Mr. Revis was born in Yancey, October 7, 1870. His father, Andy Revis, also a native of North Carolina , was engaged in farming, furniture manufacturing and lumbering. His mother, Mrs. Rebecca (Lowe) Revis, was a native of Wilkes County, North Carolina. His education was received in his native state and completed at the Moravian Falls Academy, Mora- vian Falls, North Carolina. After leaving school, Mr. Revis entered the United States Army and was sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he remained five years, when he was transferred to Clarksville, Texas, and later to El Paso. During this period he had re-inlisted for three years In 1898 he went to the Philippine Islands at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, with the rank of sergeant of Company M, 18th United States Infantry and saw active service in twelve battles. In 1897 he had received the medal of markmanship. After being discharged in 1900, he returned to North Carolina for his wife and came to Galveston, losing everything he possessed during the disastrous flood that visited the Island city during September 1900. He then came to Dallas and went into the mill business with the Buell Lumber & Manufacturing Company where he remained for fourteen years. Later he became associated with the Clem Lumber Company, establishing a mill for this firm, of which he was superintendent for many years.

Not like many men who have spent years in the army, Mr. Revis was industrious and frugal and from his earnings he invested in real estate especi- ally in the Ross Avenue Heights addition and built houses and apartments.

Mr. Revis was married in Lenoir, North Carolina, January 7, 1897 to Miss Laura Smith, a native of North Carolina and a member of a prominent family of Lenoir. IIer father, John Wesley Smith, also a native of North Carolina, was engaged in farming in that state. Her mother, Mrs. Rosannah (Frazier) Smith, was a member of a pioneer family of Wilkes county, North Carolina. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Revis: Truett, engaged in the printing business in Dallas; Lynn, associated with the Clem Lumber Company of this city, and Alma Gene, a student of Dallas schools. The Revis home is located at 5702 Lewis street.

Mr. Revis died in Dallas, March 8, 1925. He was a member of the A. F. and A. M. and the Baptist Church. During the years in which Mr. Revis made Dallas his home he was active in every movement for the city's betterment. He had a host of friends here and throughout the country, who admired and esteemed him for his many fine traits of character.

JOHN THOMAS GIDCUMB of Dallas had a wide and varied business career, withal a successful one, but perhaps was best known as an implement salesman, having spent the greater part of his business life in this field, repre- senting the leading implement and machinery or- ganizations of the country. Mr. Gideumb, for a pe- riod of forty years, was a resident of Dallas during which time he was active in every movement for the betterment of this city and the welfare of its citi- zenship. He was responsible for the lowering of the minimum light rate in Dallas from $1.00 to 50c per month. He secured more than one thousand names for the proposed reduction and Mr. Gilbert Irish presented the petition.

A native of Missouri, Mr. Gidcumb was born near Springfield, September 24, 1861. His father, Thomas Gidcumb a native of Kentucky, was a member of a well known and esteemed family. His mother, Mrs. Lucy (Weis) Gideumb, was a member of a prominent family of Illinois. IIis education was received in the schools of Kentucky, but his real knowledge was obtained later in life through contact with men. Mr. Gidcumb started his career as a stationery engineer, first running an engine for the Rock Mill Gin Company at Waxahachie, where he located in 1880. In 1884 he went to Denton, when after a few months, he moved to Kentucky, coming a short time later to Dallas. Here he started as a traveling salesman for the Hiram James Company, Implements, later becoming as- sociated with the Graber & Brown Implement Com- pany as traveling salesman, and still later went with Parlin & Orendorff Company as an expert machinist, remaining with them for several years. He then traveled for the W. H. Hatch Implement Company for several years. At this time he entered the blacksmith business for himself in Dallas, and for more than fifteen years owned one of the lead- ing shops in this part of the State. He continued in this work until he retired from active business. dealing in his own real estate and looking after his personal interests in this city.

Mr. Gideumb was married in Kaufman, Texas. June 16, 1894 to Miss Josie Leo Gibbons, a native of Texas and a member of a pioneer family. Her father, John B. Gibbons, was a native of Virginia and her mother, Mrs. Neomi V. (Smart) Gibbons was a native of Missouri, having been born near Poplar Bluff. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gidcumb: Jack Gidcumb, well known as a leader in the business and social life of the younger genera- tion of Dallas. By a former marriage to Miss Ottie Cooper. Mr. Gideumb had two children; a sou and a daughter. The Gideumb home is located at 3110% Bowser Avenue.

Mr. Gidcumb died in Dallas June 8. 1926. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. the Maccabees and the Methodist Church. Mr. Gideumb was a constant worker for the bettermeat of Dallas, giving liber- ally of his time and means to all projects for the upbuilding of this city.

805

MEN OF TEXAS

RS. ANNIE LEE CRAWFORD of Dallas, a member of a pioneer Texas family is num- bered among that large group of women who have endured hardship, achieved suc- cess by hard work, enterprise and self denial, and little is known about them.

Mrs. Crawford is the daughter of G. A. and Eliza (Passmore) Loflin. Mr. Loflin. a Confederate Veteran came to Texas from Mississippi in 1879, and his father three years before that. G. A. Loflin bought a farm at Mingus and for a time en- gaged in farming. He later became interested in coal mining in the Mingus district. At the age of 86 he is now living at the Soldiers Home at Austin.

Mrs. Crawford was married to W. S. Rogers in

1889. To this union were born four children, namely, Mrs. Aileen Carroll of Dallas, who has two children, John M. and Georgia Ann; Edna, now Mrs. W. M. Ilolland of Dallas; Lucile and Jonnie Marie, deceased. Mr. Rogers was the son of James T. and Caroline (Holcomb) Rogers. James T. Rogers was a pioneer in Mississippi, engaged in farming and also operated a saw mill and cotton gin. Walter Scott Rogers was educated in Clinton College, Mississippi and for a number of years was in the mercantile business in Florence, Missis- sippi. For a few years he also traveled for a hard- ware firm. His untimely death occurred in Flor- ence, Miss., in March, 1899.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Crawford engaged in the mercantile and hotel business in Florence and after being burned out in 1912 moved to Texas. She went to work in the Watson Bros. store in Strawn. By strict economy and personal denial she managed to save $500.00 by 1916. With this as her capital she engaged in the hotel business at Strawn just before the oil boom there. She was successful in this undertaking and in 1919 pur- chased a residence in Dallas at 4930 Tremont St., but continued to operate the hotel until 1923 when she moved to Dallas. Since that time, Mrs. Crawford has looked after her investments and in- terests and is considered a business woman of abil- ity. No little credit is due a woman of this type, who being left a widow with four little children to rear and educate, is able to accomplish this and at the same time make a comfortable fortune be- sides. Mrs. Crawford, although a home loving woman, by circumstances was forced to enter the business world and made a success of it. She is in- tercsted in the commercial and civic development of Dallas and is happy to call it her home.

RS. LILLIAN B. ENGLISH, owner and operator of the English Home Hospital, came to Dallas in 1904, and has since been actively engaged in her profession and

nursing. The English Home Hospital is a general private hospital specializing in unfortunate girls who wish seclusion. The hospital is equipped with ten beds and an operating room, and has facilities for handling any case. The English Home Hospital is located at 131416 W. Davis St., in a quiet neigh- borhood, and Mrs. English has been affiliated with the City Health Department from the beginning. and has co-operated with that department in main- taining high standards for the operation of such a hospital. The English Home Hospital has placed upwards of twenty infants in private homes where they are given the care and love that a baby should have, and are legally adopted. Mrs. English's work

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 86

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