The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-14

Another Of Houston's pioneer citizens
has passed away in the death of Colonel
Cornelius Ennis which occurred at tho
old family homestead on Congress avenue
at 2:15 o'clock yesterday morning.
Colonel Ennis wife had preceded him
only short while. The present year, 1889,
marked the Goth anniversary of his resi-
dence in Houston, coming here as he did
in 1889 when Houston was but three years
old and few struggling huts and tents
composed Its habitations, and he had
premontion that his death would occur
on this anniversary and he made this fact
known to members of his family, telling
them that his recent Illness would be his
last. He had been sick about three weeks
and though his malady was nothing more
serious than la grippe, his extreme age,
being SO years old, reduced very materially
his chance OF recovery His daughters, Mrs
A. II. Belo and Mrs. Frank Cargill, We're
with him at the time OF his death.
Years ago Colonel Ennis was familiar
figure In Houston, but of late years he has
not actively engaged in any business ana
has been rarely seen upon the street.
During the early days of Houston, and
at n period aptedating the civil war; he
was o tower of strength in financial circles
| and his name was usually connected with
all of the early enterprises, having for
their object the development of Houston s
| progress and prosperity, notably among
these projects being the building of the
Houston and Texas Central railway.
~
| Cornelius Ennis was born September 2s
1918, in Essex county NOW Passaic coun-
ty) New Jersey. His grandfather wa'
William Ennis. who came from the north
ern part OF ireland the later part of th'
Seventeenth century and settled In Berger
county, New Jersey. Mr.. Ennis mothe
WAS a Doremus OF the Knickerbocker stock
from one of the original families that set
tied in this country,
After receiving Il liberal education h
went to Now York City in 1884 and OBJ
tanned a position in u drug store, wher
he remained three years. In 1887 he be
gan trip down the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers in search of location Travelin
on the Mississippi, he met great mum
Der of people from Texas, all of whom wer
enthusiastic concerning the agriculture an
business interests OF Texas. These re
citals. together with the stories of gal
lantry and courage of the vlctors in the wa
for independence, fred the imagination q
the young merchant, and he determine
TO make his home in the republic. He re
turned to New York In May and In Jan
nary. 1899. he purchased large stock {
drugs and embarked on the schooner Leo
for Galveston.
lie found Galveston very sparsely set
tied without hotel or wharf, and pro
ceeded to Houston, then but years OLE
and then the capital OF the republic. Her
he established himself in business. pun
chasing a lot on Main street. where j
built Il store house, and in November {
the same year he formed a partnership Wit
Mr. George w. Kimball, This connectic
continued until 1912, when Mr.. Geore
Kimball and family took passage to Ne
York on the brig Cuba, Captain Latina
aud were lost at sea in gale OFF ii
Florida coast. Mr.. Kimball had with hi
cotton and funds to be invested In II
business at Houston; but this loss serve
only TO further develop the energy az