The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 89

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 89

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. Ballard died in Dallas, July 3, 1928, having been severely injured in an explosion at his new plant on the previous day. His death came after years of hard work just as he had achieved the suc- cess of which he had dreamed. Mr. Ballard was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Hella Temple Shrine. He was a member of the Glen Haven Country Club and the Episcopal Church. While he was only thirty-six years of age at the time of his death, Mr. Ballard had made his influ- ence felt in the business circles of Dallas where his success had been noteworthy. He was among the first men of Dallas to see that the automobile was destined to play an important part in modern de- velopment and with an undaunted faith in this city, he gave his energy and what capital he then had to the establishment of a modern Service Station and later when his capital permitted he was instrumen -. tal in giving to his city the finest auto washing plant in Texas. He was of a most sympathetic na- ture and ever ready to assist any and all in dis- tress. Perhaps the sympathy Mr. Ballard had for struggling individuals was due to the fact that he knew from personal experience what it meant to start at the bottom. He was a self made man of the

highest type, and one whose success only served to inspire him to greater effort. His untimely death cut short a career of a good man who would have accomplished much more for his community.

OHN EDMUND ZANG, of Dallas, for many years was one of the leading musicians of this state and during his colorful and suc- cessful career in the field of music he was the leader of some of the foremost orchestras of Dallas and Fort Worth.

A native of Dallas, Mr. Zang was born December 23, 1888. His father, John Franklin Zang (now deceased) was one of the pioneers of Dallas, where he invested in real estate in the early days and owned a large part of Oak Cliff. He came to Dal- las about 1884 and foresaw a wonderful future for this city and demonstrated his faith by both word and deed. John Franklin Zang was the originator of the viaduct connecting Oak Cliff with Dallas and was the first president of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and was one of the build- ers of this city. The education of the subject of this sketch was received in the public schools of Dallas and in the Southwestern University, George- town where he graduated. It was while a student of this institution that he started his career in music as a violinist in the Southwestern University orchestra, although he had started his lessons on the violin when only seven years of age. For many years he studied with Prof. Fritz Schmitz, a grad- uate of Leipsig Conservatory and a master of the old school. His first appearances in public were in the graduation exercises of the Dallas high school when he played violin solos. During his two years of college he studied Latin and kept up with his other studies, but all the time he kept busy in music. He played his violin in the orchestras and in recitals until 1909 and 1910 when he played with Conner's orchestra at Byers Opera House in Fort Worth. He was playing in the Hippodrome when death called Mr. Conner and he immediately filled the place made vacant by this veteran musician. The orchestra then became known as Zang's orchestra at the opera house and for many years attracted music lovers to this amusement house. Later, Mr. Zang moved to Dallas where he was the leader of the Capitol Theater orchestra for two years, then went to the Melba for one year. after which he went to the Palace and while play- ing here his health failed and he was forced to resign from the world of music.

Mr. Zang was married in Fort Worth, June 10, 1916 to Althea Geary, a native Texan and a mem- ber of one of the state's pioneer families. Henry Coiter, also a native Texan, was engaged in ranch- ing near Hamilton, Texas. Her mother, Mrs. Jeannette Coiter, was a member of a well known Texas family.

Mr. Zang died in El Paso, Texas, April 5, 1927. He was a member of the A. F. and A. M., the Oak Cliff Commercial Club and the Methodist Church. He had been acting since the death of his father as one of the trustees of the Zang estate. His death at the age of 39 was a severe loss to the business life of Dallas and to the musical world. as he was a genius. Mr. Zang was a musician who felt that he was in a profession that carried a heavy responsibility to the public, and at all times endeavored to live up to that responsibility.

814

ImmeAl. & Ball und

.J.

ـضياء كشف الكرش المكان

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

AWRENCE W. HEELAN, a pioneer of Dallas, came here in 1888 and during the remainder of his life was identified with the saddlery and harness business. Mr. Heelan began his experience in the leather business as a boy, becoming apprentice to a leather worker at that time, and after learning the trade, in 1852, worked for various leather goods houses up until the Civil War. He enlisted in the Confederate Army, serving through the war, after which he went to Petersburg, Illinois, where he was engaged in the harness and saddlery business from 1865 until 1881. In the latter year he came to Texas, locating at Austin, where he worked as foreman in the harness and saddlery business until 1888, when he came to Dallas, and worked at his trade until 1917, when he retired from active commercial life.

Lawrence W. Heelan was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the twenty-ninth day of March, 1837, and was a son of Phillip Heelan, and Bridget (Dawson) Heelan. Phillip Heelan, a native of Ireland, went to England as a young man, meeting his wife on the boat while on his way to London. He remained in London eight years, during which time he was associated in business with his uncles. Mr. Heelan was married in London, and with his wife, and her brother, Pat Dawson, came to America. in 1835, settling on a farm in what is now the center of Indianapolis. Lawrence W. Heelan, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of Dayton, Ohio, for a time, finishing his education in Catholic schools. He became identified with the leather working business as an apprentice, in 1850, and was actively identified with that business thereafter for upward of three score years.

Mr. Heelan was married at Petersburg. Illinois, the fourth day of September, 1865, to Miss Anna MacHenry, a daughter of Henry MacHenry and Nancy (Green ) MacHenry. Mr. MacHenry, a na- tive of Franklin, Kentucky, was a farmer, merchant and landholder. He lived for some years at Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois, and served as county judge there. Mrs. MacHenry was a native of Sparta, Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Heelan were the parents of five children, Anna, wife of J. W. Henry, of San Francisco; Miss Vida. a teacher in Dallas; Gladys, wife of J. S. Garvin of Dallas; Phillip. H., of Los Angeles, and Katherine and Evelyn. deceased. Mrs. Heelan resides at 4118 Bryan Street.

Mr. Heelan was a Knight of Pythias for forty years and a staunch Republican. His death occurred on the twenty-eighth day of September, 1922, he being eighty-six years old at that time.

Joseph MacHenry, grandfather of Mrs. Heelan, came to Georgia, from Scotland, his native land, later going to Kentucky, and still later to Illinois. Mrs. Heelan's maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Nancy Green, was born in North Caro- lina. later going to Tennessee, and subsequently to Illinois. She was married to Robert Armstrong, a native of England, who came to North Carolina as a young man and was an educator in Illinois and Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were close personal friends of Abraham Lincoln, and Mrs. Heelan remembers many occasions during her child- hood when Lincoln, visiting in their home, held her on his lap. Mrs. Heelan's paternal grandmother. whose family name was Goran, was born in Eng- land, and as a girl came to Georgia, where she mar- ried Joseph MacHenry.

ACOB MANTEL was a pioneer in the dairy- industry of Dallas where in 1887 he estab- listed a dairy which soon became the larg- est in this part of the state, having three hundred and fifty cows and employing twenty-five men. He also was one of the leading breeders of thoroughbred cattle in the South. Mr. Mantel was one of the first men to import IIolstein cattle into Texas. In 1916 he went to New York and pur- chased sixty head of Holsteins valued at $23.000.00 and the following year purchased ninety head val- ued at $27,000.00, all of which were shipped to Texas.

A native of Holland, Mr. Mantel was born June 25, 1871. His father, Dick Mantel, a native of Hol- land, was one of the best known exporters of Hol -. stein cattle and coach horses of that country. His education was received in the public schools of Hol- land and when.sixteen years of age, he finished a course in livestock breeding and raising and came to America. He was met in New York by Jim How- ard of Bonham, Texas, with whom he came to Texas. He lived with and worked for the Howard family for several years. With the practical know- ledge gained on the Howard ranch, Mr. Mantel came to Dallas and established in this county one of the finest livestock ranches in this part of the country.

Mr. Mantel was married in Dallas, September 1, 1896, to Miss Mollie Abel, a native of Quincy, Illi- nois. Her father, August Abel, was an active figure in farming circles and a large land owner. Her mother, Countess Blondena (Stoman) Abel. was a member of a prominent family of Germany. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mantel, one of whom is living and is a resident of Dallas: Marie Ammett Mantel (deceased) ; William August, (de- ceased), dying at the age of twenty years. He was one of the most loved students of Forest High School during his attendance there and from which he graduated. He was first sergeant of the Forest High School Cadets. The late Rev. John D. Slator rendered the funeral services of this superior young man when he was buried at Grove Hill Cemetery. Perhaps no young man of his age had as many friends in Dallas and was as popular with the younger generation, as was William August Mantel. The other child of Mr. and Mrs. Mantel was Mrs. Willma May Tate. Mr. Tate, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, is the popular secretary and treasurer of the Texas Electric Railway of Dallas and well known in the business and financial circles of Texas. The Mantel home is located at 4932 East Side Avenue.

Mr. Mantel died in Dallas July 4, 1921. He was a charter member of the East Dallas Christian Church of which he was a deacon for many years. Throughout the long years of his residence in Dal- las, Mr. Mantel was active in every movement for the development of his city. He aided the livestock raisers of this part of the state perhaps more than any other one man, and encouraged them to raise better livestock. He spent his entire life in this industry and was one of the best posted men on this subject, his opinion being respected by the promi- nent men in this line. As a citizen and progressive business man Mr. Mantel distinguished himself in such a way that his death was keenly and widely felt. He was held in the highest esteem by a large circle of acquaintances who knew him as a kindly, courteous, honorable gentleman.

815

MEN OF TEXAS

RTHUR CRAWFORD FOSTER of Dallas was a pioneer lawyer of Texas where for more than half a century he was engaged in this profession. During this period he was associated with many important cases and legal matters. The greater part of Mr. Foster's activities as a lawyer were in Haskell and contiguous Coun- ties, where he also was engaged in buying and sell- ing large bodies of ranch lands on the Great Plains of Texas.

A native of Alabama, Mr. Foster was born in Tuscaloosa, January 31, 1853. His father, Arthur Foster, was a native of Alabama and a member of one of the outstanding families of that State. The Fosters, of whom there were many, were all large slave owners and extensive planters, and were 'numbered among the oldest and most esteemed families of the State of Alabama. His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Foster, also was a member of a pioneer family of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. His education was received in the public schools of Starksville, Mis- sissippi. As a young man he studied law under his uncle, Judge John A. Foster, who was one of the leading lawyers in Clayton, Alabama. His uncle was Chancellor of that District and prominently identified with all matters pertaining to that sec- tion of the State. Arthur Crawford Foster was admitted to the bar in 1873 in the State of Ala- bama, and started the practice of law in Starksville, Mississippi, where he had many relatives and friends. Later, he went to Rutherford, Tennessee, and practiced law there until 1874, when he moved to Texas. He taught school in Kaufman County until 1882, and many of the younger generation of that county, received their education under the careful and able tutelage of Mr. Foster. In 1882, after finishing the term of school for that year, he returned to Starksville, Mississippi where he re- mained for two years and then returned to Texas, settling first in Throckmorton County, until Has- kell County was formed when he moved to that County and spent almost the remainder of his life there. He was one of the first settlers of Haskell County, a large land owner and active in the up- building and development of this section of Texas. He transcribed the records from Throckmorton County to Haskell County in 1885 and was a strong factor in the development of Ilaskell County. He was the first mayor of the town of Rule, and was there when the Orient railroad came through Haskell County. During his long residence in Rule he was treasurer of the school board. He was known as one of the best land lawyers of West Texas and gave this branch of the law, the greater part of his time. In 1917 he moved to Dallas to secure medical attention to a trouble with which he had long been afflicted. During the nine years in which he resided in this city, he did little law practice but maintained an office to look after his own personal affairs.

Mr. Foster was married in Belknap, Young Coun- ty, Texas, May 4, 1884, to Miss Dora B. Lee, a na- tive of Tennessee and a member of a pioneer Texas family. Her parents, George A. and Mrs. Martha A. (Jones) Lee, were numbered among the pioneer and honored citizens of West Texas. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster, namely: Arthur C. Foster, Jr., a well known attorney of Rule, Texas, who attended Baylor and Texas Universities; Mildred A., a graduate of Baylor University; Adina, a graduate of the College of Industrial Arts of

Denton and three children who died in infancy. By a former marriage to Miss Margaret Edwards, Mr. Foster had one daughter: Una L. Weatherby, a well known artist of Cambridge, Mass. The Foster home is located at 615 Haines Avenue.

Mr. Foster died in Dallas, March 3, 1926. He had been a member of the Baptist Church for a period of forty-three years, being a member of the first Church of this denomination organized in Haskell County, and also was the first clerk and superintendent of the Sunday School of that place. He attained a high place in Masonry, being Past High Priest of the Chapter, thrice Illustrious Master of the Council, Past District Deputy, Grand Master of his District and Grand Visitor of the Grand Chapter and Council. He received the de- grees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite on April 9, 1891 ; and in October, 1925, was elected to the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor by the Supreme Council. He was a charter member of the Haskell Lodge of Masons, No. 682 and was Past Worshipful Master of this Lodge. After coming to Dallas he was affil- iated with the Oak Cliff Chapter, Number 373, R. A. M., which he served as treasurer for a time and for many years was a member of Hella Temple Shrine. Mr. Foster also was successful as a busi- ness man, and became one of the wealthiest citizens of Haskell County, where he owned in fee more than six thousand acres of land. At the time of the organization of the Haskell National Bank in 1890 he became vice-president of this institution, and he was the owner of valuable business property in both Haskell and Rule, Texas. In the death of Mr. Foster, Texas lost one of its outstanding per- sonalities, a man whose career as lawyer and whose sterling worth as a citizen won him the esteem of the entire citizenship. It is such men as Mr. Foster who have made the law one of the most honorable professions.

ILLIAM MARION BRYANT was for many years one of the leading land men of Texas, serving for several years as the State Agent for the Theo F. Koch Land Company, one of the largest organizations of its time, handling immense tracts, particularly along the Gulf coast. Prior to entering the land business Mr. Bryant had been engaged in farming and merchandising. He started his farming operations in Grayson and Cook Counties, continuing in this work for more than sixteen years. He then engaged in the mer- chandising business at Myra, Cook County, but af- ter two years spent in this field, he became associ- ated with the Theo F. Koch Land Company, and as the representative of this Company, traveled throughout the Lone Star State.

A native of Tennessee, Mr. Bryant was born in Putman County August 25, 1865. His parents, Dan- iel Erwin and Irene (Elrod) Bryant, were both natives of Tennessee and members of prominent families of that State. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native State, which he attended only at short intervals. His real education was obtained in the school of experience through contact with men and things. Mr. Bryant was a shrewd. far-seeing business man and his advice was eagerly sought along many lines of endeavor and same was always freely given.

Mr. Bryant was married at Sherman. Texas, on December 23rd, 1891, to Miss Kate Littleton, a na-

816

Affecter.

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

the Texan and a member of one of the State's best shown families: Her father, Robert Henderson Istleton, a native of Mississippi, was a member of a ;. oneer family of that State. Her mother, Mrs. Eliza (Archer) Littleton was a member of a promi- sent family of Tennessee. Her uncle, Col. John A. Littleton, was one of Texas' history makers. He was for two terms a member of the Texas Legisla- ture and was Col. of a Regiment during the trouble with Mexico. The Littleton family was one of the most illustrious in the State's history of its time. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bryant, two of whom are living and are residents of Dallas: Littleton Erwin and Ethelbert Fay (now deceased) was Mrs. J. M. Russell, and a resident in Texas throughout her life. The Bryant home is located a: 2815 Carlisle Street.

Mr. Bryant died April 14, 1916. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen and other fraternal organizations. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was active in all Church matters; being for many years an Elder. While Mr. Bryant never made his home in Dallas, he was a frequent visitor here and had a host of friends in this city and throughout North Texas, particularly in Grayson and Cook Counties, where he resided for many years, and where Mrs. Bryant still owns valuable farm and oil lands. He was a man who has been sadly missed, both as a friend and as a potential business asset to Texas at large. He was one of those pioneer business men whose progressive spirit aided in giving to the world the great opportunities to be found in land invest- ments in the Lone Star State. He planned and ven- tured in the conviction that it was destined to supremacy and he lived to sce his judgment vindi- cated.

JOHN BARTON MERITT. Among the pio- neers of Texas whose lives were associated with the development and progress of the State, the name of John Barton Meritt de- serves a commendable place. He was a native Texan and his whole life was spent in the Lone Star State where he was engaged in various occupations, He lived a long useful life and earned a record which will be ever enduring in Texas history.

John Barton Meritt was born in Cherokee Coun- ty, October 4, 1868. His parents were Alonzo and Louisa (Pickens) Meritt. His father came to Cher- okee County with his parents when but a small boy. They were among the pioneers who braved the hardships of the western life to settle in a new and undeveloped country. His mother was a native of Alabama who also came to Texas in the earliest days and was among the organizers of the town of Jacksonville, Texas. Mr. Meritt received his educa- tion in the Texas public schools and in Oman Col- lege. For several years he engaged in farming but in 1889 became a locomotive engineer on the Texas & Pacific and later on the Santa Fe railroad. He con- tinued engineering until 1909 when he retired from railroading and located in Dallas. Hc engaged himself with the city water works in this city and continued in this capacity for a period of eight years. In 1917 he left the water works but contin- ted as a stationary engineer the rest of his life.

Mr. Meritt was married on the 4th day of March, 1897, to Miss Nettie Ramsay. Mrs. Meritt is a na- tive of Texas, born in Weatherford. Her father

was Beverly Ramsay, of Jefferson, Missouri, who canie to Texas and located at Columbus before the Civil war. He remained at Columbus until 1867 when he came to Dallas. Mrs. Meritt's mother formerly was Miss Elizabeth Scherer of Roanoke County, Virginia. Her grandfather, Scherer Gideon, was a prominent minister and educator who settled in Columbus in the early fifties and built the Luther- an College at that place. Prior to coming to Texas he was director of Salem College, at Salem, Vir- ginia. He died at Columbus in 1860.

Mr. and Mrs. Meritt were parents of three chil- dren : Mabel, who married Mr. A. L. Reed, of Dallas; Alonzo, with the Texas & Pacific railroad, and Vir- ginia, who is a student in Dallas. The family resi- dence is at 4205 Worth Street. Mr. Meritt was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- neers and of the Presbyterian Church. During the many years of his residence in Dallas he made a wide circle of friends and was held in high esteem by those who knew him.

Upon his death in Dallas, June 16, 1925, he was mourned by a wide circle of admiring friends.

OHN SCHNITZIUS. A pioneer manufac- turer of Dallas, John Schnitzius came to this city in 1888 and subsequently was identified with the business life here until his death. Mr. Schnitzius began his business career in Pennsylvania, he and his brother engaging in the oil production business in that state for several years. . Following this he spent several years in Florida, and in 1888 came to Dallas. The first few years Mr. Schnitzius was in this city he was engaged in construction work, establishing the Schnitzius Manufacturing Company in 1891, and in the years following building up a large business. This business is still in operation, and is managed by Mr. Schnitzius' son.

John Schnitzius was born in Pennsylvania, Nov- ember 10, 1850, and was a son of Joseph Schnitzius and Catherine Schnitzius, both of whom were natives of Germany. Joseph Schnitzius came to America as a young man and lived in Clarion County, Pennsylvania for many years. He engaged in the mercantile business there. John Schnitzius, subject of this sketch, was educated in the Penn- sylvania public schools. finishing his education in the schools of Pittsburgh. Following this he enter- ed the oil production business with his brothers, Peter and Phillip, both of whom are now deceased.

Mr. Schnitzius was married at Emmington, Penn- sylvania, on the sixth day of September, 1886, to Miss Caroline Vogelbaugher, a native of Knox Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Joseph Vogelbaugher and Pollyanne (Moore) Vogelbaugher, the father of a native of Germany, who later came to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming, and the mother a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Schnitzius had one child by his first marriage, to Miss Annie Poff, a native of Germany, this child being Thomas Henry Schnitzius, Jr., now conducts his father's business. at 3008 Elm street. Ile is married and has a large family of children namely: Annie, wife of T. D. Gordon, of Ennis; John, Joseph, Miss Mary, Phillip. Miss Lizzie, George and Patrick.

Mr. Schnitzins died at his home in Dallas on the sixteenth day of August. 1919. Mrs. Schnitz- ius continues to make her home in this city, living at 4012 Crutcher street.

817

MEN OF TEXAS

ILLIAM DAVID RAINEY was a pioneer fireman of Dallas, Texas, where, for more than forty years, he was employed in various capacities in this branch of the municipality. He started his career with the City of Dallas in the sanitary department and was the first employee of this department of this city. Later he joined the fire department and after serving as a fireman for several years he became fire department engineman, operating the pumpers. He was known as a fearless man and during his life in the fire department Mr. Rainey assisted in fight- ing the most spectacular conflagrations of Dallas and had many thrilling as well as narrow escapes in affecting rescues.

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 89

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