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Home of Burton D. Hurd, Collegeport, Texas Photo
courtesy of the Mopac House Foundation |
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Burton David Hurd |
Dena D. Soekland Hurd |
Vernon King Hurd |
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A History and Genealogy of The Family
of Hurd in the United States |
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Burton D. Hurd, President and
General Manager of the "Burton D. Hurd Land Company," one of
the largest and best equipped immigration organizations in the country,
with offices in Chicago, Ill.; St. Louis, Burton David Hurd, the third son
of David E. Hurd was born in During the next five years, he
fought his battles single-handed, working days and attending night
schools in search for the knowledge his mind has always craved. In In the year 1898 he began
operations in the great cattle grazing districts lying along the The year 1908 found Mr. Burton D. Hurd at the head of the largest land and immigration business in the country, but the achievement which will perpetuate the name of this young business man was the meeting the demand of his patrons for ideal homes, in the conceiving of the idea and carrying out the plan of the development of the Tres Palacios River and adjacent Bay properties: the purchase of 55,000 acres of land, with its 14 miles of frontage on the most beautiful river in Texas, extending into 25 miles of Bay shore with seven miles of perfect shell beach, making a boulevard 28 miles in length through this property, and settling the entire tract with substantial citizens, farmers, fruit-growers, gardeners, and hundreds of ideal winter homes, where all semi-tropical fruits and flowers abound most lavishly. Mr. Hurd is an untiring worker,
broad in mind, charitable and generous to a fault; he believes in living
right every day, is considered honorable and just in his dealings with
all men. He belongs to no clubs or societies, has no hobbies or fads,
and his only recreation consists in an occasional jaunt in his yacht,
the Dena H., accompanied by
his family and a few friends. He has one son, Vernon King Hurd, born [The Hurds also had a daughter,
Florence Veva Hurd, A
History and Genealogy of The Family of Hurd in the United States And a
Partial History of the New England Families of Heard and Hord, including
a Treatise on Nomenclature, Heraldry and Coat Armour, and Ancestry
by Dena D. Hurd, privately printed in |
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Vernon King Hurd, son of Burton
D. Hurd and Dena D. Soekland Hurd, was born in
THE RECTORY My dear Mrs. Hurd: It gives me
great pleasure to teach your son I am, Yours very sincerely, JOHN SLOAN With a perfect physique, and love of boating, swimming and all outdoor sports, including the kindly disposition he has, his mastery of the problems of life should not become difficult. A
History and Genealogy of The Family of Hurd in the United States And a
Partial History of the New England Families of Heard and Hord, including
a Treatise on Nomenclature, Heraldry and Coat Armour, and Ancestry
by Dena D. Hurd, privately printed in
Vernon K. Hurd who has just returned to his home in Collegeport, Texas, from a three years' course of preparation for technology in Kingsley School, Essex Falls, N. J., brings with him two honors, winning the cash prize of $25 in gold for the highest honors in mathematics and the silver medal, being the prize for second place in scholarship. He received a gold football as member of his football team, and accredited by Dr. James R. Campbell, M. A., head master of Kingsley School, as one of the best students in the school, receiving the second largest number of votes. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Burton Hurd of Collegeport, Texas; is 17 1/2 years old, and has never been sick in his life. He expects to enter Rice Institute in the fall for a special course of training. Matagorda
County Tribune, June 27, 1913 VERNON K. HURD GIVEN COMMISSION IN ARMY Lieutenant Vernon King Hurd, who was commissioned provisional second lieutenant, Field Artillery, U.S.A. is 21 years old, and one of the youngest officers to receive a commission from the president previous to any military training. Lieutenant Hurd secured his commission in competitive examination with several hundred men from civil life and several thousand in the Regular Army, July 23, 1917. His general average of 88 per cent also entitled him to his first choice of service. His birthplace was Des Moines, Ia., but he has lived almost all his life in Texas. His early school life was spent in Bay City, in the private school of Dr. John T. Sloane, and one year with Professor Travis of Collegeport. In 1913 he graduated from an Eastern school for boys, Kingsley School, Essex Falls, N.J., from where he won second prize in scholarship, first cash gold prize for mathematics and a gold football from the athletic association. He continued his athletics during his first two years of college work at Rice Institute, and spent his last two years at the University of Minnesota, where he received his degree of bachelor of science in June, 1917. He is a member of the fraternity of Beta Theta Pi. He was commissioned provisional lieutenant, Field Artillery, U.S. A., October 26. He is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Burton D. Hurd of Collegeport, who are expecting him to return to Texas for the holidays. The Matagorda County Tribune, Friday, December 28, 1917
Previous to the Army reorganization, March 9, 1942, which placed Gen. McNair in charge of the Nation's new Army, Colonel Hurd served on the staff of GHQ. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 12, 1896 he graduated from the University of Minnesota before entering the military service. His military education consists of graduation from the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Field Artillery, October 26, 1917. The Daily Tribune, May 8,
1942 EMILIE ELIZABETH HALL TO BECOME BRIDE OF VERNON HURD WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10. (The Denver Post) Tall baskets of gladiolas and white clematis will decorate St. Barnabas Church tomorrow evening for the marriage of Miss Emilie Elizabeth Hall and Vernon K. Hurd, which will take place at 8 o'clock. The Rev. Charles H. Marshall will read the service in the presence of about 300 guests, and following the ceremony a supper will be served to the members of the wedding party in the home of the bride's mother Mrs. F. Dixon Hall. The bride is to be given in marriage by her brother, Ralph Hall, and he and the other men in the party will wear military uniforms. Edward Wise will be best man and Glen McColm and Eugene Mechling ushers. The bride's attendants will be Miss Gladys Falconer of Pueblo, maid of honor, and Miss Frances Smith and Miss Margaret Knox, bridesmaids. Their gowns are made alike, being girlish affairs of taffeta in the pastel shades. They will wear Georgette hats of a shade to match their frocks and carry pink roses. The bride will be a pretty picture in her robe of heavy white satin. The draped skirt falls in long simple lines and is elaborately embroidered with seed pearls. The pearl embroideries also outline the flowing sleeves and the square neck. Her veil of tulle which was also worn by her mother, will be caught with orange blossoms and extend to the hem of her court train. A shower bouquet of palest blush roses will lend an attractive touch of color to the costume. Miss Hall is one of the most interesting girls of the younger social set, where she is very popular. She attended the University of Colorado and is a member of the Chi Omega sorority. Hurd is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Burton D. Hurd of Hot Springs, Ark. He attended the University of Minnesota and served overseas as a lieutenant in the Field Artillery. He is a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and is now engaged in business in Hot Springs. The Matagorda County Tribune, September 26, 1919
The Matagorda County Tribune, Thursday, June
25, 1936 |
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The history of the development of Matagorda County would be incomplete without the history of the men whose years of far reaching insight into the future, who fearlessly took risks that would make way for those who came after, who were the pathfinders for advancements. One of the builders in Matagorda County whose activities for twenty years during the height of immigration, when greatly encouraged by the railway companies penetrating the Gulf Coast country from Port Arthur to Point Isabel, was Burton D. Hurd, a man of powerful personality, keen judgement, a discerning mind and a keen sense of values. It has been said of Mr. Hurd that he lived a full quarter of a century ahead of the times. This is clearly evidenced in a resume of his twenty-five years of bringing people to Texas and the manner in which he prepared for the well-being of his people. Burton D. Hurd was born on a stock farm in Hamilton County, Iowa, where his parents, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, settled in 1865, his progenitors having been land owners near Windsor, Connecticut, before 1640. After public school he graduated from Spaulding's Business College in Kansas City, Missouri, working days and going to college at nights. After having been active in the development and organization of reclaimed lands in central and northwestern Iowa, Mr. Hurd attracted the attention of Arthur Stilwell, builder of railroads. In 1897 he furnished young Hurd with an entire train of Pullman cars, free of cost, which he filled with prospective settlers and prominent men and came to Port Arthur, Texas, where a tract of 40,000 acres of land was sold to settlers. It was the special free trip that laid the foundation for the future development that followed of 16 separate ranch properties along the Gulf Coast of Texas, from Port Arthur to old Point Isabel, on the Mexican border aggregating more than a half million acres. Fourteen canal systems were financed and built for irrigation of rice; roads, rice mills, warehouses, drainage ditches, schools and churches went into the improvement plan on a large scale. Included in this was the opening for sale of the first lands at Kingsville on the great King ranch, at Sarita on the Kennedy ranch, and another special train of prominent people with B. F. Yoakum on his railroad to open Mercedes, Texas, another garden spot of the south. Also included in the tremendous acreage of land developed by Mr. Hurd and his associates was 56,000 acres on the west side of the Colorado in Matagorda County and 25,000 acres on the east side; 16,000 acres west of Tres Palacios River south from the M. P. R. R. to the head of the bay in Matagorda County. It has been said of this fine friend, neighbor and home builder that he never cared a cent for any dollar that could not be used for the betterment of the human family. His aim was always to the highest and his fertile mind constantly was active in the behalf of the development of this country. Matagorda County
Tribune, Century of Progress Edition,
August 26,1937, Section 7, Pages 1 and 7. |
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Deceased
Was Important Developer of Several So. Coast Cities Burton David Hurd, third son of David Elisha and Anna Delight Faye
Hurd was born on the family homestead in
He
was a well known promoter and developer, and was largely interested in
the development of
Besides
the widow he is survived by one son, Vernon King Hurd, one grandson,
Vernon Hurd II, two brothers, Elgin C. Hurd of
Funeral
services were held in Collegeport Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev.
G. F. Gillespie and interment made in the
The
Palacios Beacon,
THOUGHTS
ABOUT THE
PASSING OF THE LION By Harry Austin
Clapp
The passing of the lion? Aye, the passing of the lion. When Burton
D. Hurd passed from the stage of his earthly works, into the great and
wonderful over there, it was the passing of a man with the heart and
courage of a lion. The works of this remarkable character, from the
Sabine to the
I
write this copy with sorrow. I am unable to understand why this valuable
man should be taken and I should be spared.
I pray my God to hold him in His comforting arms and give his soul
peace, contentment and well-earned rest. I love this man and he loved
me. I enjoyed his respect, confidence and friendship.
In
the death of Burton David Hurd, who departed this life at his home in
Collegeport, Texas, a town of his own founding, last Tuesday, the state,
the county and this section have been deprived of one of its most
prominent citizens, real estate operator and pioneer of land and
settlement promotions, and a man of keen judgment of values, a
perception of development and a dreamer of agricultural enterprises,
peopled with happy, prosperous and contented people.
It
has been said of this fine neighbor, friend and home builder that he
never cared a cent for any dollar that could not be used for the
betterment of the human family and, yet, in his various promotions
throughout the country he spent thousands of them. His aim was always to
the highest and his fertile mind constantly active in the behalf of the
development of his country.
Burton
David Hurd, the third son of David E. and Anna Delight Faye Hurd, was
born on the family homestead at William,
At
his home in Collegeport, and present at the final summons, were his
bereaved wife and son, Vernon King Hurd, Mrs. Vernon King Hurd, Mrs.
Annette O'Leary, of Houston, sister of Mr. Hurd. Surviving are, besides
his widow, one son, Vernon King Hurd, one grandson, Vernon King Hurd,
II, two brothers, Elgin H. Hurd, of Hurdsville, North Dakota, and Fay M.
Hurd, of Galveston; two sisters, Mrs. George Boody, Sr., and Mrs.
Norabel Culk, of St. Paul, Minnesota, besides several nieces and
nephews.
Mr.
Hurd, on June 15, 1891, was wedded to Miss Dena D. Soekland, daughter of
one of the old families of Stuttgart, Arkansas, to which union was born
a daughter, Florence Vera, deceased, and Vernon K., the latter now
residing in Collegeport.
The
funeral rites were conducted from the home by the Rev. Gillespie, of
Palacios, assisted by a group of women with whom Mrs. Hurd had worked in
the county for years.
The
Collegeport school and business houses were closed, while tributes of
love and esteem were evidenced by the bestowal of many wreaths and set
pieces of beautiful flowers. Many relatives and friends from
Mr.
Hurd worked on his father's farm until he was 16 years of age at which
time he gained his parents' consent reluctantly, to sacrifice his
Father's gift to his boys of a farm equipped and stocked and go for
himself. He worked nights and attended
He
came to
A
more intimate picture of the activities of the man may be gained in
perusal of the following from one of Mr. Hurd's briefs of "Land and
Agriculture Development," which follows:
Commencing
in 1893, drainage districts were organized and developed in some twenty
central and northwestern counties of
This
development and immigration attracted the attention of Arthur E.
Stillwell and a deal was made with him and the Kansas City Southern
Railroad in 1897 to develop and colonize a 42,000 acre tract of land
between
Following
the
The
development work for the sale of these lands included the construction
and operation of ten canal systems for growing rice, road building,
drainage, community development, railroad construction and the building
of rice mills and warehouses.
The
NOTES:
1910
Precinct
8
Enumeration District 147
Sheet 3B |
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Tuesday evening about 6 o'clock . Neighbors found her at that time and attempted to minister aid, but she died within a very few moments after the arrival of the neighbors. She had just completed writing her "Collegeport News" as she was correspondent for The Matagorda County Tribune and The Daily Tribune and had mailed her correspondence. Mrs. Hurd was about 69 years of age. She had come to Texas many years ago when her husband, Burton D. Hurd, was pioneering the development of this section. She was a most active worker in all civic affairs and took a great pride in continuing to push forward the development of this section. Her interests were county wide and she worked ceaselessly in her endeavors in the church, the civic clubs and schools. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of A. A. Duffy. The funeral was held this afternoon at Collegeport at 3 o'clock . Mrs. Hurd is survived by one son, Vernon and one grandson. The Tribune joins the great number of friends of this grand lady in expressing sympathy to Vernon and those of the family. Mrs. Hurd was a well educated woman, _____ and well posted on affairs of every kind. The community has lost a forceful character, the county a great inspirational builder.
The
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Colonel Vernon K. Hurd, formerly of Collegeport and well known in Palacios, has been assigned to duty as assistant to the Assistant Chief of Staff (G-3) of the Army Ground Forces, according to a news dispatch from Washington, D. C. Prior to this assignment Colonel Hurd was on duty with the General Headquarters in the National Guard Bureau. His transfer was a result of the army reorganization of March 9, 1942, which established a separate ground force under the command of Lt. Gen. Lesley J. McNair who is charged with the responsibility of all training of the nation’s new army. General McNair ordered the change in duty status for Colonel Hurd. Colonel Hurd is the son of the late Burton D. Hurd, the founder of Collegeport and real estate developer.
Palacios Beacon, August 6, 1942 |
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Funeral services for Col. Vernon K. Hurd were held at 3 p. m. Wednesday in the Pat H. Foley Funeral Chapel with Dr. Neal D. cannon officiating. Col. Hurd died at 1 a. m. Sunday in a Houston hospital. He was a veteran of World War I and II. During World War II he taught in the war college in Washington and trained troops in India and China. He was the son of the late Burton D. Hurd of Collegeport and for many years was a resident of that town. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Valerie Hurd of Houston; daughter, Mrs. Chipman Ela of Boston and two grandsons. Burial was in the Forest Park Cemetery. Palacios Beacon, October 25, 1956 Valerie Gore, 72, Buried in Houston On Wednesday Mrs. Valerie Smith Gore passed away in Azalea Manor Nursing Home in Sealy at 2 a. m. Monday, April 11, at the age of 72 years. She had been in failing health the past two years. Funeral services were held at 10 a. m. on Wednesday, April 13, in the chapel of the Pete E. Etlinger Funeral Home here, with graveside rites and interment in Forest park Lawndale in Houston. The Rev. Raye Williams officiated. Pallbearers were John Selman, James Donnelly, Cotton Buchanan, Weldon Humble, William J. Gundlach and Merian S. Paschall. Mrs. Gore was born in Matagorda May 27, 1904, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James M. Smith. She was reared in Matagorda and attended Ball High School in Galveston and Westmoreland College in San Antonio. She was married February 25, 1966 to J. Wayne Gore. For more than thirty years Mrs. Gore was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Houston, where she was very active and served as president of the Sadler class. She used her special talent, her voice, as a soloist in the church for many years. She and Mr. Gore moved to Sealy in the early 1970’s and she became a member of the First United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. Survivors are her husband, J. Wayne Gore of Sealy; daughter, Mrs. John Ward of Sealy; step-daughter, Mrs. Mary Frances Kincannon of Houston; stepsons, J. W. Gore, Jr. and George H. Gore of Houston, Robert C. Gore of Missouri City, Edward B. Gore of Nashville, Tennessee; sister, Mrs. W. L. Cronin of Houston, sisters-in-law, Mrs. Cyrus W. Smith and Mrs. Frank A. Smith of Bay City; two grandchildren, Vernon H. Ela of Miami, Florida, and David W. Ela of Houston; and one great grandson, Daniel Ela of Miami, Florida. Etlinger Funeral Home of Sealy was in charge of arrangements.
Sealy News,
April 14, 1977 |
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TOOK
MANY HONORS IN TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL.
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Anna Delight Fay Hurd Mrs. D. E. Hurd, who has been very ill the past six weeks, was taken to the Baptist Sanitarium in Houston and was operated on for gall stones last Tuesday, the operation by Dr. Kyle being successful in every way, and she is reported as doing very well. Her many friends here are rejoiced at the good news and hope for a prompt recovery. Matagorda County Tribune, March 5, 1915 The people of Collegeport were saddened by the news of the death of Mrs. D. E. Hurd, which occurred at Houston last Thursday where she had been taken for an operation. Mrs. Hurd had lived in Collegeport for several years and everyone with whom she can in contact were impressed with her kindliness and gentle dignity, and her loss is deeply felt. Her bereaved husband has the sympathy of the community as does her children, Mrs. Walter Culp, Mrs. George Boody and Mr. Burton D. Hurd.
Matagorda County Tribune,
March 5, 1915 |
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Dr. Boody, 93, Dies In St. Paul Dr. George Boody, 93, retired physician, 100 N. Lexington Parkway, St. Paul, died Thursday after a prolonged illness. Born in Eldora, Iowa, he taught school for a while. Then, after accompanying an ill sister to Colorado by wagon, he decided to study medicine. He practiced in Iowa for 50 years, principally at the state mental hospital at Independence. After resigning in 1904, he went to Hurdsfield, N. D., where he spent 15 years in land development and the practice of medicine. At the outbreak of World War I he returned to the hospital at Independence and remained there until his retirement in 1941. Dr. Boody is survived by his wife; a brother, Dr. Frank D., Eldora, Iowa; two sons, Hurd, St. Paul, and Dr. George Boody, Jr., Dawson, Minn., and grandson Charles, Missoula, Mont. Funeral services will be held at Listoe and Wold mortuary, St. Paul, at 2 p. m. Saturday with burial in Acadia Park cemetery.
Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 12,
1948 |
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Walter Culp Funeral arrangements for Walter Cup, 60, who died suddenly of acute indigestion at his home on the Cheney highway, about seven miles from Orlando, on Sunday, were not complete last night, and were awaiting the arrival of his daughter, Miss Minnie Culp, from Minneapolis, Minn. The arrangements are in charge of Carey Hand. Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, Florida, May 14, 1929 Walter Culp Dies in Florida According to word received here, the sudden death of Walter Culp occurred Sunday at Orlando, Fla., demise being due to acute indigestion. Funeral services have not yet been arranged, but it is possible that the body will be brot to Lancaster for interment. The deceased was the son of the late William Culp and for a number of years resided in the Baldwin brick house, commonly known as “the haunted house” on the Pleasantville pike. Following the death of the father the Culp family moved to Chicago about 1890. The widow and four daughters survive in the Minnesota home. A daughter has gone to Florida to arrange funeral. The deceased had gone south two years ago for his health. Other survivors include a sister, Mae Culp of Chicago, a brother Bert of Chicago, and another brother, Harry of Dallas, Texas. There are a number of cousins and other relatives in Fairfield County. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Lancaster, Ohio, May 15, 1929 To Bury Walter Culp Here Monday The body of Walter Culp, who some years ago lived on the Baldwin farm, just east of the city and passed away last Sunday at Orlando, Fla., will be taken to the F. E. Smith funeral home where obsequies are to be held Monday at 3 p. m. Interment will be made in the Culp family lot at Forest Rose cemetery. The remains are being accompanied from Florida by a daughter, Miss Virginia Culp of Minneapolis. Walter Culp Laid to Rest After an absence of forty years, Walter Culp, aged 59, who passed away in Florida, Sunday, May 12th, was laid to rest Monday in the family lot at Forest Rose cemetery, by several of his old schoolmates. The deceased was the son of the late Wm. Culp who resided for many years in the Baldwin brick house, commonly called “The Haunted House,” on the Pleasantville pike. The family moved to Chicago in the late ‘80’s. Walter Culp, since that time, has lived in various western states, finally settling in Minneapolis, in which city he leaves a wife and four daughters, the latter as follows, Mrs. Elizabeth Firmage, Miss Twila, aged 19, Miss Karwyn, 15, and Miss Virginia, 20. The latter accompanied the body from Florida to Lancaster. Pall bearers were Thomas and Newton McLain, Charles and Edward Rockey, Pearl Dickson and Clay Hyde. Final rites were held at the F. E. Smith funeral home, Rev. W. K. Himes in charge. Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Lancaster, Ohio, May 21, 1929 Albert Hayes Grover Dies; Rites Wednesday Albert Hayes Grover, a resident of Lewistown for the past 10 years, died at St. Joseph’s hospital Sunday morning at 6:15 o’clock following an illness of two days. Funeral services will be conducted from Creel’s chapel Wednesday at 2 p. m., with the Rev. Clarence W. Orner of the Presbyterian church officiating. Interment will be in the Billings cemetery. Born at Zumbrota, Minn., November 21, 1879, Mr. Grover came to Montana in 1923. He was the Montana representative for the Northwestern Mortgage company, a member of the Presbyterian church and a Mason in Minnesota. He is survived by his wife, Nora; two sons, Roland A. of Pontiac, Mich., and Alton of Glendale, Calif.; four daughters, Mrs. Hugh (Betty) Firmage of Hopkins, Minn.; Mrs. K. H. (Virginia) Nelson of Billings; Mrs. Marvin (Twila) Hoover of Jackson, Mich., and Mrs. Roy E. (Karwyn) Sjoquist of New York city; one sister, Mrs. E. M. Batson of Reeds Point, N. W., and 10 grandchildren. Lewiston Daily News, Lewiston, Montana, March 25, 1947 Daughters of Walter Scott & Norabelle Hurd Culp
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