Thomas William House Sr.
Thomas William House Sr. | |
|---|---|
Official mayoral portrait | |
| 19th Mayor of Houston | |
| In office 1862–1862 | |
| Preceded by | William J. Hutchins |
| Succeeded by | William Anders |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 4, 1814 Stoke St Gregory, Somerset, England |
| Died | January 17, 1880 (aged 65) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Mary Elizabeth Shearn
(m. 1840) |
| Children | 9, including Edward |
| Residence | Houston, Texas |
| Profession | Businessman |
Thomas William House Sr. (March 4, 1814 – January 17, 1880) was a merchant, cotton factor, investor, banker, and politician in Houston, Texas. House started as a baker in New York and New Orleans, before establishing his own businesses in Houston. These businesses included a bakery and confectionary, a general dry goods store, cotton factorage, and bank. He was also a major investor and organizer of Houston-based transportation and utility companies. He traded cotton while evading naval blockades during the American Civil War.