Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
James Robert Cade
(June 15, 1845 - November 5, 1912)
Photographed By Brian Anderson, September 3, 2018
1. James Robert Cade Marker
Inscription.
James Robert Cade. (June 15, 1845 - November 5, 1912). Born in England in 1845, James Robert Cade immigrated to the United States in mid-1869, arriving in Harrisburg, Texas, in 1873 with his new bride, Annie Mortimer, also of English descent. James Robert previously trained in England as a railroad carpenter and car builder, experience that helped him find employment as a rail car builder with a small railroad located in Harrisburg, the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway Company. For the next eighteen years, the couple made their home in Harrisburg, where they raised four sons as John Robert advanced to executive status with Southern Pacific Railway Company, which acquired the GH&SA and the Texas and New Orleans Railway., In 1885, Cade was designated master car builder for SP, Atlantic System, which entailed managing the rail car repair division. Private cars manufactured during Cade’s tenure were of the highest quality and craftsmanship, using the latest technology and finest materials available to the industry. He was an innovator in the national railroad conversion of all rail cars from harvested timbers to iron beams. His 1892 iron rigging design was adopted nationally for safe and better transport ability., In addition to his distinguished career, he co-founded and was very active in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Houston’s Fifth Ward, was elected president of the Mechanics Building and Loan Association and, as a member of the Masons, received the Order of High Priesthood in 1895. Cade Rothwell Lodge No. 1151 AF&AM, chartered in 1921, was named in his honor. Through his innovation and civic leadership, James Robert Cade significantly contributed to the economic development of Texas following the Civil War.
Born in England in 1845, James Robert Cade immigrated to the United States in mid-1869, arriving in Harrisburg, Texas, in 1873 with his new bride, Annie Mortimer, also of English descent. James Robert previously trained in England as a railroad carpenter and car builder, experience that helped him find employment as a rail car builder with a small railroad located in Harrisburg, the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway Company. For the next eighteen years, the couple made their home in Harrisburg, where they raised four sons as John Robert advanced to executive status with Southern Pacific Railway Company, which acquired the GH&SA and the Texas & New Orleans Railway.
In 1885, Cade was designated master car builder for SP, Atlantic System, which entailed managing the rail car repair division. Private cars manufactured during Cade’s tenure were of the highest quality and craftsmanship, using the latest technology and finest materials available to the industry. He was an innovator in the national railroad conversion of all rail cars from harvested timbers to iron beams. His 1892 iron rigging design was adopted nationally for safe and better transport ability.
In addition to his distinguished career, he co-founded and was very active in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Houston’s Fifth Ward, was elected president
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of the Mechanics Building and Loan Association and, as a member of the Masons, received the Order of High Priesthood in 1895. Cade Rothwell Lodge No. 1151 AF&AM, chartered in 1921, was named in his honor. Through his innovation and civic leadership, James Robert Cade significantly contributed to the economic development of Texas following the Civil War.
Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18498.)
Location. 29° 45.982′ N, 95° 23.202′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Washington Avenue Coalition / Memorial Park. Marker can be reached from Washington Avenue. James Cade is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Section C-3, Lot 068. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2525 Washington Avenue, Houston TX 77007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Darius Gregg (within shouting distance of this marker); Eugene Thomas Heiner (within shouting distance of this marker); Belle Sherman Kendall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Caspar Braun
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 412 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.