The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 99

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. Ninich was married in Dallas April 25, 1900 to Miss Francis Loraine Lastro, a native of Victoria, Texas, and a member of a prominent and pioneer family of that part of the state. Her father, P. W. Lastro, also was a native of the Lone Star State and throughout his life was engaged in the cattle business, being one of the leading cattle men of Victoria County. Mrs. Ninich was a member of a large family, the following being her brothers and sisters: Josephine, Kate, Pete, Elnora, Lewis and Joseph. Her paternal grandfather, Lastro. came from Spain to Matagorda, Texas, in the early days, when travel in the interior was only by ox team. He also was engaged in the cattle business on a large scale. The Ninich home is located at 5224 Reiger Aevnue.

Mr. Ninich died in Dallas, June 11, 1921. He was of the Catholic faith and prior to coming to America he served for several years as altar boy in the Greek Orthodox Church of Belgrade. Mr. Ninich served in the Servian army in the war between his country and Bulgaria. His mother died in Servia in 1900, at which time he returned to his native country and brought to Dallas his two small brothers, the older brothers, Will and Stoyan Ninich, having come to America prior to their mother's death. Mr. Ninich had many friends in Dallas and throughout the country who loved and admired him for his admirable traits of character. He was quiet, modest and unpretentious, although possessing ability of a high order. His charities were many and unostentatious. Ile played a leading part in many movements for the growth of Dallas, the upbuilding of the Lone Star State and the amelioration of the condition of the needy. He was an enterprising business man, a true friend and a thorough gentleman.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

LLIAM JAMES KINSELLA. The life of William James Kinsella of Dallas was sin- gularly typical of the romanee of American business and more particularly it has par- allelled the wonderful expansion and development of Texas.

A native of Ireland, Mr. Kinsella was born in Dublin, October 27, 1874. His father, Thomas Kin- sella, also a native of Ireland, was a factor in the commercial life of his community. IIis mother, Mrs. Marie Kinsella, was a member of one of Ire- land's prominent families, her father being a large land owner. His education was received in the schools of Dublin, which he left when he was four- teen years of age to come to America and his real education was secured in the school of experience, by contact with men and things. Losing his father by death when he was a small boy, he decided to come to America and when fourteen years of age he set out on the great adventure of his life. Land- ing in New York, he came direet to Dallas where he had some distant relatives and started to work with Sanger Bros. as messenger and stock boy in the wholesale hat department. Nine years later, at the age of twenty-three he was placed in full charge of the department and began making regular trips to New York and other Eastern markets to make purchases. At this time he had the distinction of being the youngest wholesale hat buyer in the Unit- ed States. In 1907 Sanger Bros. discontinued their wholesale hat line. Then a company with a capital stock of $50,000.00 was formed to take over the hat business. This was the beginning of the Kinsella Hat Company and William James Kin- sella, the boy who had started as a messenger, nineteen years before, was made president, a posi- tion which he held with ever-increasing eredit. In speaking of his career Mr. Kinsella invariably men- tioned Mr. Alex Sanger (now deceased), as it was largely through his influenee and encouragement, giving his time and attention for counsel and advice that gave him the inspiration to work harder for better things in the business world.

Mr. Kinsella was married in Dallas, September 15, 1904, to Miss Ida Holloway of Dallas. Her father, G. R. Holloway, a native of England, came to America in the early days, first settling in Mis- souri, later removing to Dallas where in 1878 he organized the Holloway Seed Company, of which he was the president until he retired from active busi- ness pursuits in 1905. Mr. Holloway was a charter member of the Commercial Club of Dallas, the first business organization to be formed in this eity, and for many years was one of its directors. He helped in bringing to Dallas many firms, jobbers and brokers, and assisted in every way in the develop- ment of this city. ' Although eighty-three years of age, he is still active, taking a keen interest in affairs of the city, state and nation. Five chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kinsella: Miss Julia Marie, a teacher in the schools of Dallas: Sarah Elizabeth, a student of the Southern Methodist University; William James; Charles Berg and Robert Irvine, the three last named are students of the various Dallas schools. The Kinsella home is located at 5318 Rowena Street.

Mr. Kinsella died in Dallas May 16, 1922. In addition to being the president and general mana- ger of the Kinsella Hat Company, he was president of the Dallas Wholesale Merchants Association,

vice-president of the Progressive Merchant Publish- ing Company, vice-president of the Dallas Trade League, a member of the Dallas Chamber of Com- meree and Manufacturers' Association, a member of the Dallas and Lions Clubs, president of the Dallas Fishing Club of New York, treasurer of the American Association of Wholesale Hatters, a mem- ber of Dallas Lodge No. 760 A. F. & A. M., a Knight Templar and Shriner, a member of Couneil 62, United Commercial Travelers of America, the Hermit Club of Himalaya and various other organi- zations of Dallas and elsewhere. He was a member of the Episcopal Church in which he was an active worker. He was a member of the Officers' Train- ing Corps during the World War and was active in all movements during this period in the service of his country. He had a host of friends in Dallas and throughout the country, who loved and admired him for his many splendid traits of character both as a business man and as a citizen, and his death saddened the hearts of every man, woman and child who knew him. His place in the business lite of Dallas, in the social and civic circles will be a hard one to fill. He was a friend and business asset to Dallas, which he helped in every way.

TOEL HIGGINS. A long time resident of Arkansas, Joel Higgins was a large land- owner in that State, and engaged in farm- ing there. Mr. Higgins began his business career as a drug clerk, but remained at that oeeu- pation only a short time. He then began buying land, and for many years owned and operated a twelve hundred acre farm in Arkansas. Mr. His- gins never came to Texas, his death occurring in Helena, Arkansas, in March, 1909. Sinee that time Mrs. Higgins has come to Texas, and makes her home in Dallas.

Joel Higgins was born at Lexington, Kentucky, on the sixteenth day of November, 1853, and was a son of Allen Higgins and Bettie Chinn (Webb) Higgins. Allen Higgins, a native of Kentucky, was a plantation owner of that State. Ilis death occurred in 1880. Joel Higgins was educated in the publie schools of Lexington, Kentucky, and Transylvania University. He then began his business career, which already has been outlined.

Mr. Higgins was married at Covington, Ken- tucky, the twenty-second day of July, 1880, to Miss Kate Legrand. a daughter of Richard Legrand and Lizzie (Gibson) Legrand. Mr. Legrand. a native of Kentneky, was a large plantation owner of that State. Mrs. Legrand. a native of Warrensburg. Mississippi, was the daughter of a plantation owner of that place. Mrs. Higgins was born and reared in Kentucky, and was educated in Sayre Institute. at Lexington, and graduated from Stanton College. Virginia, in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins were the parents of six children, five daughters and one son. they being, Miss Betty Webb of Dallas: Richard. who married Miss Mary Bacon, of Kaufman. they having one child, Mary Ann; Sue, wife of Harry Danks, connected with the Texas & Pacific Rail- way at Dallas, and Mrs. Danks being a member of the D. A. R. and Eastern Star organizations here : Kathleen, wife of John Salazar, of Dallas, they hav- ing one child. John Legrand: Sallie, wife of Tom Neighbors of Dallas, and Claudine, wife of Fountam Ogle, of Dallas. Mrs. Higgins is a sister-in-law of Sam P. Cochran. She makes her home at 4821 Tremont Street.

853

MEN OF TEXAS

G EORGE WHEELER FOSTER of Dallas was a pioneer telegraph and telephone man of the Lone Star State and did more perhaps than any other man of his time for the development and progress of the telephone and telegraph in Texas. He spent his entire life in the various branchies of this work and due to his per- sonal efforts telephone lines were extended in Texas and vast improvements made in the systems.

A native of Michigan, Mr. Foster was born in Otsego, May 3, 1854. Otsego was founded by his grandfather, Sam Foster, M. D., of Vermont. His father, George Haskell Foster, for many years was a leader in the commercial life of Michigan. His mother, Mrs. Jennie ( Wheeler) Foster, was a mem- ber of a prominent family of New York State, where she was reared and educated. His education was received in the schools of Michigan, but his real education came later in life through constant read- ing and contact with men and things. He started his career as a telegraph operator when fifteen years of age, liaving complete charge of a telegraph office at that time at a point in Michigan. Later he became telegraph operator for several railroads in various parts of the country, continuing for about eleven years. He then came to Palestine, Texas, where he entered the employ of the International & Great Northern Railroad as train dispatcher, later going to Houston as manager of the South- western Telegraph & Telephone Company, re- maining there for fifteen months. He then went to Galveston as manager of the same company and in 1887 was made district superintendent for South Texas, being first located at Austin, but was transferred to Galveston where he remained for three years. In 1890 he was sent to Dallas as superintendent of the North Texas Division, and later was made general superintendent of this Division. In 1896 Mr. Foster brought the Postal Telegraph of Texas to Arkansas and Louisiana, be- coming general superintendent. He remained with this company for a period of three years, and then returned to the Southwestern Telephone & Tele- graph Company in the capacity of assistant to the general manager. In 1915, Mr. Foster was made special agent for the company, remaining in this important position for many years. In addition to being one of the foremost men of the country in telephone and telegraph activities he was a writer of noteworthy articles for newspapers and niaga- zines. He also was the first editor of the South- western Telephone News, this magazine coming to the public in February, 1906, and he continued as its editor until 1914 when the headquarters of the company was moved to St. Louis.

Mr. Foster was married in Toledo, Ohio June 24, 1880, to Miss Fannie Segur, a native of Toledo and a member of a well known family of that city. Her father, Daniel Segur was a native of Taburg, New York, where he was active in commercial circles. Her mother, Mrs. Rosalie (Klinge) Segur, was a native of Bleichcrode, Germany, and a member of a prominent family of the Fatherland. She was a writer of talent and contributed to magazines and . newspapers. The Foster home is located at 3502 Armstrong Avenue.

Mr. Foster died in Dallas. September 24, 1924. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias. the B. P. O. E., the Dallas Press Club, the Dallas Coun- try Club, the Telephone Pioncers of America, being

for several years the Secretary of the last named. Endowed with vigorous intellectual powers, lofty ideals of commercial and civic virtue, a personality energetic, strong, magnetic, gracious and command- ing in its high sense of honor and probity, Mr. Fos- ter for almost thirty-five years occupied a place of leadership in the business, civic and social life of Dallas on which he impressed the seal of his use- fulness.

IPLEY BARKSDALE HARWOOD, a native son of Dallas, throughout his life was an active figure in the business, civic and re- ligious circles of this city, besides attend- ing to his extensive ranching and farming interests in various parts of the State. His father, Capt. Alex Harwood for more than twenty years was county clerk of Dallas County and young Harwood started his career in his father's office. Later he went to Stephens County, near the town of Breck- enridge and started in the ranching business, later organizing a company which owned and operated one of the largest and most successful ranchesof that time. Some years later, he disposed of his in- terest in the Stephens County ranch, came to Dal- las and purchased a ranch a few miles from the city, which he operated successfully for many years. Mr. Harwood then became associated with the A. A. Everts Company, one of the large jewelry stores of Dallas.

Mr. Harwood was born September 21, 1856. His father, a native of Virginia, came to Texas in 1844, locating in Dallas and for many years was a leading citizen of this city. Capt. Alex Harwood, for whom Harwood Street was named, served as a captain and assistant quartermaster general in the Confeder- ate Army. Mrs. Sarah (Peak) Harwood, the sub- ject's mother, was a native of Kentucky and a member of a well-known family of that State. His early education was received in a private school in Dallas, conducted by a Mr. Hanna. He then became a student of the Transylvania University of Ken- tucky and later entered the University of Missouri, where he remained for several years pursuing en- gineering courses.

Mr. Harwood was married in Dallas March 5, 1885, to Miss Lucy Keller, a daughter of W. J. Keller of Dallas and formerly of Woodville, Mis- sissippi. Her mother, Mrs. Cornelia (Angell) Keller, also was a native of Woodville and a mem- ber of a representative family of that city. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harwood, three of whom are living and are residents of Dallas: Alex; Ruth, now Mrs. C. S. Rydell and Ripley B., well known in the commercial circles of this city. The Harwood home is located at 1812 Euclid Ave.

Mr. Harwood died in Dallas August 2, 1924. He was a member of the A. F. and A. M., with mem- bership in Tannehill Lodge of Dallas. He was a member of the East Dallas Christian Church and one of the most active workers in this church, being an elder for many years. From boyhood he was active in every movement for the upbuilding and progress of his city, where he was known through- out his life as one of its most progressive and pub- lie-spirited citizens. Of all her sons, there has been nonc who yielded to hier a more passionate devotion. He gloried in the history and traditions of the Lone Star State and a great and gallant Texan passed on when Mr. Harwood died.

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Foster

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

LARENCE C. LANE, a native son of Dallas, Texas, was reared and educated in this city where his rise in the business world was one of the romances of modern business which had paralleled the expansion and development of Dallas and the Lone Star State.

Mr. Lane was born April 2, 1865, on what is now the site of the Ifall of Records Building, this being at that time the homestead of the Crutchfield fam- ily. His father, Captain John W. Lane, who was a cavalry officer of the Confederate Army, was one of the leading business men and citizens of the Lone Star State, having served in both houses of the State Legislature and was one of the leading spirits in the sessions of which he was a member, and served as mayor of Dallas. His mother, Mrs. Betty (Crutchfield) Lane, was a member of a pioneer Texas family. Captain Lane was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Emma Thompson Hughes, of Mississippi. Her parents were pioneers of Texas, having settled at San Marcos in the carly days, be- ing among the first families to locate in Hayes County. Mr. Lane was alderman of Dallas prior to the commission form of government and in 1909 was elected to the presidency of the Dallas school board. After reaching manhood, Mr. Lane was one of the most active citizens of Dallas in the various organizations for the city's betterment. He started his career here and lived among his many childhood friends, who aided him up the ladder of success. His first money was earned as a page in the legislative halls of Texas. In 1886, when twenty-one years of age, he became a partner in the firm of Hughes Bros. Manufacturing Co., and was secretary and treasurer of this organization for thirty-five years.

Mr. Lane was married August 20, 1886, to Miss Lottie Thomson, daughter of Rev. S. A. Thomson, pastor of the First Northern Methodist Church of Dallas. She died August 20, 1890. Mr. Lane's second marriage in Nashville, Tennessee, March 9, 1893, united him with Miss Sara Toon, who was born and reared at Franklin, Tennessee, and was a member of one of the pioneer families of that state. Her father, Robert Allen Toon, was a jus- tice of the peace and a respected citizen of his community. Her mother. Emma (Howerton) Toon, was a native of Tennessee, where she was reared and educated and her father's farm was near the. farm of Andrew Jackson, then president of the United States. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lane: John Robert of Dallas, engaged in the automobile business; Clarence Crutchfield, Jr., of Dallas, who is associated with the Southwestern Life Insurance Company. There is one grandchild: John Robert Lane Jr. The Lane home is located at 3721 Cole Avenue.

Mr. Lane died in Dallas October 22, 1911. He was a member of the B. P. O. E. and during the latter years of his life was an officer of the grand lodge of this fraternity. He was one of the most active members of the Dallas Chamber of Com- merce. Throughout his life he took a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of his city, where he was known as one of its progressive business men and public-spirited citizens. Being a native Texan, a son of Texas pioneers, he knew and loved his state as only a native can. He made friends everywhere and they were not casual acquaintances. Mr. Lane was a man of integrity

and ability and his place in the pages of Dallas history is a hard one to fill.

MOHN FIELD not only was a pioneer farmer and stock raiser of Dallas County, Texas, but was one of its staunch, esteemed and progressive citizens, who aided in the up- bunding of his community and State. Mr. Field came to Dallas in 1868 and for a period of forty- five years was an important figure, active in every project that had as its object the welfare of this city.

A native of Missouri, Mr. Field was born in Cooper County, February 12, 1835. His father, James W. Field was a native of Virginia and a mem- ber of one of the pioneer families of that State. His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Yancey) Field, was a native of Kentucky and a member of one of the most prominent families of that State. His educa- tion was received in the various schools and colleges of Missouri of his time.

In 1866 Mr. Field came to Texas and continued farming and stock raising which he had started ear- ly in his native State. After locating in Dallas County he purchased much land in the most suitable sections of the County for the purposes for which he desired it and continued to add to his holdings. Mr. Field was one of the most successful men of his time in his chosen field of operations.

Mr. Field was married in Dallas, October 19, 1871, to Miss Katie Knight, a member of one of the pioneer families of Texas, and one which assisted in the making of Texas history. Her father, Oba- diah Knight, was a native of Virginia, who came to Texas as a young man. Her mother, Mrs. Serena (Hughes) Knight, was a native of Tennessee and a member of a well known family of that State. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Field, nine of whom are living: Joel Y. Field of Dallas; Elizabeth A., now Mrs. Dr. Whitfield Harrall of Dallas; Laura, now Mrs. James G. Field of Wash- ington, D. C .; Tom W. Field. of Farmers Branch, Texas; Serena, now Mrs. W. L. Carwile of Dallas; Kate, now Mrs. II. R. Carwile of Marshall Texas; Epps K. Field of Dallas; Gussie, now Mrs. G. F. Watterworth of Dallas and Lucie, now Mrs. Charles K. Bullard of Dallas. The deceased children are: Dr. Knight W. Field, who died in France, while serv- ing in the Medical Corps during the World War. Prior to the World War Dr. Field had practiced medicine in Dallas for several years and was re- garded as one of the leaders of the medical profes- sion of his generation; John Field and Robert Field, both died in infancy. The Field home, where the family has resided for more than forty years is located at 3201 Wellborn Street.

Mr. Field died in Dallas, January 9, 1913. He was a member of the Christian Church and of various fraternal organizations of Dallas. He came here at a time when a city was in the making, as it was only a village in almost a wilderness of forest. But even at that early date Mr. Field foresaw a great and steady growth for Dallas which must make it the commercial metropolis of Texas. He demonstrated his faith by both words and deeds. His death brought more than the ordinary degree of grief to the people of Dallas, and particularly to that diminishing number of veterans of whom he was a comrade in all works and battles which had the material, social and moral betterment of Dallas for their end.

855

MEN OF TEXAS

AMES ALEX FORSYTH for almost fifty yearswas an active figure in the agricultur- al and business circles of North Texas. Com- ing to the Lone Star State about 1877, he started farming in Collin County, near the town of Mckinney. Ile continued to farm for several years, after which he removed to Mckinney and be- gan in the contracting business, becoming one of the leaders in this field of Collin County. Later he removed to Lewisville, Texas, and again entered actively into farming and stock raising remaining in this work for a period of twelve years. Mr. Forsyth then retired from active business pursuits, removed to Dallas, where he looked after his own properties and did some building himself, but never entered the contracting business again for others.

Mr. Forsyth was born in Michigan, November 21, 1859. His father, a native of Scotland, came to America as a young man and settled in Michigan where he was well known in the commercial circles of his community and State. His mother, Mrs. Miran Hecker Forsyth, was a native of Germany. His education was received in the schools of Blissfield, Michigan which he left at an early age in order to enter the business world, where he started as a farmer with an ambition to become a contractor and he eventually became one of the best of his time in this field. At the time of his death, among other property, he owned two farms; 465 acres near Lewisville and 125 acres three miles from McKin- ney. The places are now rented by Mrs. Forsyth.

Mr. Forsyth was married in Lewisville, Texas, January 30, 1916, to Miss Lou Ida Wilson a men- ber of an old and prominent family of Denton County. Her parents, H. P. and Mary Jane (Hog- sed) Wilson, both were members of well known families of North Carolina, where they were reared, educated, married and spent the greater part of their lives. The Forsyth home is located at 3212 Carlisle Place, which has been their residence since locating in Dallas in 1923.

Mr. Forsyth died in Dallas, April 26, 1925. He had a host of friends in Dallas and throughout North Texas, where he was known as one of the most enterprising citizens. Many of the real land- marks of Mckinney stand today as a monument to his handiwork as a builder and many of the city's enterprises were started by him. Mr. Forsyth was one of those rare souls worthy of that highest title of human esteem, a real friend. IIis charities were widespread, but known only to his intimates. He was indeed a beautiful example of loyalty to friends and those in need. Little more can be said of any man.

AMES A. WILSON. A pioneer traction man of Dallas, James A. Wilson came here in 1880, and had charge of the first belt street railway to be operated in this city. This line, built and put in operation by Sanger Brothers, was of the mule car type, had fifteen cars, and employed some thirty men. Mr. Wilson had complete charge of the line from 1880 until 1885, when he became connected with the Dallas Ice Company, with which he was associated until a short time before his death.

James A. Wilson was born in Ohio, on the ninth day of March, 1857, and was a son of Richard Wilson and Sarah (West) Wilson, pioneer settlers of Ohio, where Mr. Wilson engaged in farming.

Mr. Wilson was educated in the public schools of Illinois, and came to Texas as a young man, farm- ing for a few years with his father prior to coming to the state. IIe arrived in Dallas in 1880, and took charge of the Belt Line built by Sanger Brothers at that time.

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The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2, Part 99

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