Page 134 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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SAN ANTONIO-HER TRADE,
the city, in fact, is one of the most solid in the state. This is due to the
spirit of progress that animates her merchants as well as to the favorable
natural location of the city. In gathering statistics we find some enter-
prise that for the magnitude of their business, the long and continued
prosperity of the firms, and their straightforward and honorable business
career entitles them to special notice in this volume, and among these we
mention the name of T. W. House, established in 1838, by the father of
the present proprietors ; its growth has been steady, onward and upward
till the name of T. W. House is as familiar with the people of Texas as
the name of Houston. As the caption of this article indicates, the style
of business done by this house is banking and cotton factorage. Their
banking business is very extensive, embracing all business usually con-
ducted in a first-class banking and clearing house. We do not propose to
be fullsome when we state that the management of this bank has evi-
denced a degree of high-toned principle and honor, and an intimate and
thorough knowledge of finances as possessed by its officers, that has re-
flected credit not only upon themselves but also upon the city of Houston,
and has now that degree of confidence that has increased their business in
banking alone to $30,000,000 annually ; these figures speak for themselves
as to the ability of its management. Their cotton department is well
organized and under experienced and efficient management. They handle
annually about 25,000 bales of cotton, and give special attention to classing,
weighing and selling of same. They are prompt in making returns, which
are always at full market quotations. In addition to their banking and
cotton business they own and operate one of the largest plantations in the
State, where is produced annually 5,000 barrels refined sugar, 2,500 bar-
rels of molasses and syrup, 500 bales of cotton and 20,000 bushels of corn.
Their sugar house is 150x240 feet and equipped with the most approved
modern machinery for producing the best refined sugars and syrups ; their
sugars took the first premiums at the New Orleans exposition against all
competitors. This firm gives employment to about 250 people, who with
their families find support from them alone. The present proprietors, T.
W. House, J. H. B. House and E. M. House, have conducted the business
for the past five years, since the death of their lamented father, T. W.
House, Sr. Possessing much of his energy and business ability, coupled
with an eye to the progressiveness of the age, they have succeeded in
largely augmenting the volume of their business, and, if possible, added to
its peerless reputation. These men have and are doing much for the
advancement of Houston and the development of the State of Texas, and
the length of time this house has continued in business, as well as their
just and liberal business policy, have resulted in a reputation and standing
which no words of ours could add to, and under the continued manage-
ment of these men it cannot recede from its present well merited popu-
larity.