Henry Mayer Halff (1874-1934) was an American rancher, horse breeder and polo player.
Henry Mayer Halff | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 17, 1874 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 20, 1934 Richardson, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Emanu-El Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Education | Staunton Military Academy |
| Alma mater | Eastman Business College |
| Occupation(s) | Rancher, horse breeder, polo player |
| Spouse | Rosa Wechsler |
| Children | 2 sons, 2 daughters |
| Parent(s) | Mayer Halff Rachel Hart |
Early life
editHenry Mayer Halff was born on August 17, 1874, in San Antonio, Texas.[1][2] His father, Mayer Halff, was a French immigrant who became a large rancher in Texas.[2] His mother was Rachel Hart.
Halff was educated at the Staunton Military Academy, a male-only military boarding school in Staunton, Virginia.[1][3] He graduated from Eastman Business College, a business school in Poughkeepsie, New York.[1][3]
Halff served in the Spanish–American War.[2]
Career
editHalff moved to Midland, Texas, to embark upon a career in ranching in 1904.[4] He ranched in Midland County, Crane County, Crockett County and Upton County.[1] He inherited the Quien Sabe Ranch in Midland County and the JM Ranch in Upton County from his father.[2][3][4] He raised Hereford cattle and grew honeydew melon.[4]
Halff was the owner of the H.M. Halff Polo Farm, a polo and horsebreeder farm in Midland, Texas.[3][5] He bred Belgian stallions with draft horses.[3] He also bred Thoroughbreds with mares to produce polo ponies.[3]
Halff was the owner of a real estate business in Midland.[4] When he moved to Mineral Wells, Texas, in 1925, he ran a real estate business there.[4] When he moved to Dallas in 1929,[2] he ran a real estate business there as well.[4] Halff served as the president of the West Texas Chamber of Commerce.[2]
Halff was a member of the Rotary Club.[2]
Personal life
editHalff married Rosa Wechsler in 1905.[1][2] They had two sons and two daughters.[1] He retired to a farm in Richardson, Texas, in 1931.[2]
Death
editHalff died on March 20, 1934, in Richardson, Texas.[1] His funeral was held at Temple Emanu-El.[2] He was buried at the Emanu-El Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Eagleton, N. Ethie (June 15, 2010). "HALFF, HENRY MAYER". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Death Claims Texas Pioneer. Funeral Services For Henry M. Halff Will Be Held At Dallas Friday; Was Former President of WTCC". Lubbock Morning Avalanche. Lubbock, Texas. February 22, 1934. pp. 5, 9. Retrieved January 5, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Laffaye, Horace A. (2011). Polo in the United States: A History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Co. p. 354. ISBN 9780786445271. OCLC 659753735. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f "Henry Halff, Former Midland Man, Dies In Dallas Home Of Heart Attack On Wednesday". Big Spring Daily Herald. Big Spring, Texas. February 22, 1934. p. 11. Retrieved January 5, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Odessa, Texas". Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities. Goldring / Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
