1907-1925: The Early Years

Albert Herzstein was born on March 5, 1907. Al worked in his father’s store after school. He attended high school in Denver, Colorado and got a newspaper route with over 1,000 accounts. While still in high school, Al received a job offer from Mr. B. K. Smith of Houston who operated a small welding supply company. In 1925, Al Herzstein made Houston his home.

• Albert Herzstein was born on March 5, 1907. He loved telling his friends that although his family lived in Clayton, New Mexico, he was born in Trinidad, Colorado because there was no hospital in Clayton. He was described as “a good looking red head with winning ways.” Al worked in his father’s store after school. There he learned to fix cars, do plumbing, carpentry, and electrical repairs. He said, “In Clayton, you learned these things because you had to do them yourself.” Mr. Herzstein epitomized the self-made man. He attended high school in Denver, Colorado and got a newspaper route with over 1,000 accounts.

• He met Mr. B. K. Smith of Houston, Texas when Smith was on a trip to Denver. Mr. Smith operated a small welding supply company, and extended an offer to young Al, who was in high school at that time, to come work for him if he was ever in town. In 1925, Al Herzstein made Houston his home.