Henry Mayer Halff

Henry Mayer Halff (1874-1934) was an American rancher, horse breeder and polo player.

Henry Mayer Halff
BornAugust 17, 1874
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
DiedMarch 20, 1934
Richardson, Texas, U.S.
Resting placeEmanu-El Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
EducationStaunton Military Academy
Alma materEastman Business College
OccupationRancher, horse breeder, polo player
Spouse(s)Rosa Wechsler
Children2 sons, 2 daughters
Parent(s)Mayer Halff
Rachel Hart

Early life

Henry 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

Halff 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

Halff 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

Halff 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
  1. Eagleton, N. Ethie (June 15, 2010). "HALFF, HENRY MAYER". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  2. "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.
  3. 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.
  4. "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.
  5. "Odessa, Texas". Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities. Goldring / Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
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