Julius Schepps

Julius Schepps (November 16, 1895 - May 25, 1971) was an American civic leader and businessman.

Coordinates: 32°46′55″N 96°47′20″W / 32.78194°N 96.78889°W / 32.78194; -96.78889

Early life

Schepps was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Russian immigrant parents Joe and Jennie (née Nathanson) Schepps. When his parents moved to Dallas, Texas in 1901 to start a bakery business, he worked in the bakery and sold newspapers. He attended Texas A&M University in 1914 on a baseball scholarship until it was discovered that he lacked a high school education.

Later years

Though Schepps was forced to leave the university, he became a lifetime supporter of it. He later moved to El Paso and worked there for two years. He married Phyllis Eickman in El Paso in 1915, with whom he later had three children.

Business life

Schepps acquired the family bakery in 1922 when his father Joe Schepps died (it was sold in 1928). After the bakery was sold, he started an insurance company that lasted 43 years. He established the Schepps Brewing Company in 1934 and sold it the next year. He served on the board of directors (once as chairman) for the Mercantile National Bank from 1922 until his death. He shared other business interests including bakeries and other insurance companies. His success as a businessman allowed him to become a generous contributor to a number of charities.