Thomas William House

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindaGrave ID: 8477706
• Occupation: Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; Mayor
• Occupation: Merchant
• Immigration: 31 May 1834, New York, New York, New York, USA
• Occupation: 31 May 1834; Baker

Notes:

Immigration:
Sailed on the Kingston

Died:
Thomas William House was born in the village of Stoke St. Gregory, Somerset. He immigrated to America, landing in New York in 1835 where he earned his living as a baker. The next year, he moved to New Orleans to take charge of the bakery at the St. Charles Hotel. In 1838, he established the firm of House and Loveridge in Houston.

In 1840 he began accepting bank deposits, the beginning of The House Bank. He produced and sold the first ice cream in Houston, restricting his confections to one side of the store and placed dry good on the other side. In 1853, he paid $40,000 for the large jobbing business of "James H. Stevens and Company", which was the largest sum of money to change hands in Houston up to that time. He changed the name to "T. W. House and Company" and was the largest wholesaler in the state; accepting cotton in payment for goods and setting up cotton factoring as a separate department.

In 1851 House helped organize the Houston and Galveston Navigation Company "to navigate steamboats between Houston and Galveston and on other streams tributary to Galveston Bay," carrying passengers, freight, and United States mail. He also worked with the Texas Transportation Company, the Houston Direct Navigation Company, and the Buffalo Bayou Ship Channel Company, all of which contributed to the development of Houston.

He was active in organizing the first street railway, the Board of Trade and Cotton Exchange, and the Houston and Texas Central and other railroads. On the organization of Protection Fire Company, in 1848, he became a member and remained one as long as he lived.

In 1857, and again in 1861, he was chosen a member of the Board of Aldermen of the city, and served two terms of two years each. In 1862 he was elected Mayor and held this office one term. In 1866 he organized the city's first public utility, the Houston Gas Company. The general public was indifferent to this; however, hotels and other public places were the first to install gas, then private homes accepted the innovation, and finally gas street lights appeared.

It is difficult to overestimate House's share in the building of Houston. He was a charter member of the Ship Channel Company, and was always a staunch friend of that enterprise.

House died in San Antonio, where he had gone for medical attention and his will directed that for five years his estate should be held together and his banking and mercantile business should be carried on in his name. (bio by: H M G)

Thomas married Mary Elizabeth Shearn on 6 Oct 1840 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA. Mary (daughter of Charles Shearn and Mary Pode) was born on 9 Sep 1822 in Walcot, Bath, Somerset, England, UK; died on 28 Jan 1870 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; was buried in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary Elizabeth House was born on 13 Sep 1841 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; died on 7 Jan 1885 in San Marcos, Hays, Texas, USA; was buried in San Marcos, Hays, Texas, USA.
2. Charles John House was born on 7 Mar 1844 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; died on 10 Sep 1850 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; was buried in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA.
3. Thomas William House was born in 1845 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; died on 15 Aug 1923 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; was buried in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA.
4. John Henry Bower House was born on 23 Aug 1848 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; died on 21 Feb 1905 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; was buried in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA.
5. Charles Shearn House was born on 16 Jan 1850 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; died on 17 Sep 1896 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; was buried in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA.
6. Jimmie House was born on 18 Mar 1852 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; died on 10 Mar 1868 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; was buried in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA.
7. George R. House was born on 26 Jul 1855 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; died on 4 Jun 1876 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; was buried in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA.
8. Edward Mandell House was born on 26 Jul 1858 in Houston, Harris, Texas, USA; died on 28 Mar 1938 in Manhattan, New York, New York, USA; was buried in High Littleton, Somerset, England, UK.