DE CHAUMES, Henry Michael
The sixty-six years that have passed over the head of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch have witnessed a wonderful transformation in Southern Texas, and during all these years he has been an active observer of the trend of events. He has not been merely a "looker on in Venice" but a citizen who has, in his quiet and unostentatious way, contributed his share to the development of the section in which he resides.
He comes of worthy antecedents, and was born in Paris, France, January 24, 1828, a son of Michael and Marie De Chaumes, by whom he was brought to the United States a year after his birth, their landing being made at Norfolk, Virginia. Shortly afterward, however, they moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington, District of Columbia, the father successfully following his profession, that of an architect. In 1837 he took up his residence in Houston, Texas, and continued to follow his calling up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1871, at the age of seventy-five years. He designed and erected the old county courthouse, designed and built the old academy that was recently torn down, and numerous buildings that stand as monuments to his skill and knowledge of his calling are scattered throughout Harris and surrounding counties. He also superintended the erection of the first capitol built at Austin. He was left a widower in 1866, at which time his wife had attained the age of seventy-five years. In 1838 Henry Michael De Chaumes came to Texas with his mother and the children, but in 1846 left Houston to learn the tinner's trade in Galveston, at which he served three years' apprenticeship. Returning to Houston, he worked for J. R. Morris till 1851, when he removed to Bastrop, Texas, where he made his home up to the opening of the Civil war. During the progress of the great struggle he was in the employ of the Confederate government, detailed to the gun-manufacturing department, but when hostilities had ceased he returned to Houston, and in 1866 formed a partnership with Messrs. Dunn and Hale in the hardware and tinware business on Preston avenue, between Travis and Main streets. This firm was known as one of the leading ones of the kind in this portion of the State, and was in existence until 1868, when Mr. Hale retired and his interest was purchased by S. C. Timpson, after which the store was moved to the ground on which Kiam's building now stands. At the end of three years Mr. Timpson retired, and Mr. De Chaumes and Mr. Dunn continued alone up to 1880, at which time Mr. De Chaumes disposed of his interest to Mr. Blake and started an establishment of his own on Travis street, opposite the market, where he continued to hold forth for two years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was in the tin department of their shops in Houston for some time. In 1887 he went to Smithville, Texas, where he opened a tin and hardware store, continuing successfully to conduct the same for six years. At the end of this time he returned to Houston, and now has a pleasant and comfortable home at 2203 San Jacinto street. He is the owner of an entire block in the city, which is a valuable piece of property, and from the three houses which are erected thereon he derives a respectable sum of money annually.
Mr. De Chaumes is a shrewd, practical and far-seeing man of business, well qualified to discharge the necessary duties of life, and well adapted to the active life he has led. He has seen many important changes take place in Texas, and after various ups and downs is now in good circumstances. He was married January 3, 1855, to Mrs. Susan (Anderson) Morris, who was born in Pike county, Missouri, July 4, 1831, a daughter of Carter and Margaret (Lair) Anderson, and widow of Samuel B. Morris, whom she married in 1847, and by whom she became the mother of three children: Robert, who died after reaching manhood, leaving one son, Charlie; Laura and Mary, the last dying at the age of fifteen. Mr. and Mrs. De Chaumes had nine children, four of whom are living: Henrietta; David S., who is married and has two sons, Harry F. and J. Orman; Helen and Hortense. Mr. De Chaumes, his wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source: Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
The sixty-six years that have passed over the head of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch have witnessed a wonderful transformation in Southern Texas, and during all these years he has been an active observer of the trend of events. He has not been merely a "looker on in Venice" but a citizen who has, in his quiet and unostentatious way, contributed his share to the development of the section in which he resides.
He comes of worthy antecedents, and was born in Paris, France, January 24, 1828, a son of Michael and Marie De Chaumes, by whom he was brought to the United States a year after his birth, their landing being made at Norfolk, Virginia. Shortly afterward, however, they moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington, District of Columbia, the father successfully following his profession, that of an architect. In 1837 he took up his residence in Houston, Texas, and continued to follow his calling up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1871, at the age of seventy-five years. He designed and erected the old county courthouse, designed and built the old academy that was recently torn down, and numerous buildings that stand as monuments to his skill and knowledge of his calling are scattered throughout Harris and surrounding counties. He also superintended the erection of the first capitol built at Austin. He was left a widower in 1866, at which time his wife had attained the age of seventy-five years. In 1838 Henry Michael De Chaumes came to Texas with his mother and the children, but in 1846 left Houston to learn the tinner's trade in Galveston, at which he served three years' apprenticeship. Returning to Houston, he worked for J. R. Morris till 1851, when he removed to Bastrop, Texas, where he made his home up to the opening of the Civil war. During the progress of the great struggle he was in the employ of the Confederate government, detailed to the gun-manufacturing department, but when hostilities had ceased he returned to Houston, and in 1866 formed a partnership with Messrs. Dunn and Hale in the hardware and tinware business on Preston avenue, between Travis and Main streets. This firm was known as one of the leading ones of the kind in this portion of the State, and was in existence until 1868, when Mr. Hale retired and his interest was purchased by S. C. Timpson, after which the store was moved to the ground on which Kiam's building now stands. At the end of three years Mr. Timpson retired, and Mr. De Chaumes and Mr. Dunn continued alone up to 1880, at which time Mr. De Chaumes disposed of his interest to Mr. Blake and started an establishment of his own on Travis street, opposite the market, where he continued to hold forth for two years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was in the tin department of their shops in Houston for some time. In 1887 he went to Smithville, Texas, where he opened a tin and hardware store, continuing successfully to conduct the same for six years. At the end of this time he returned to Houston, and now has a pleasant and comfortable home at 2203 San Jacinto street. He is the owner of an entire block in the city, which is a valuable piece of property, and from the three houses which are erected thereon he derives a respectable sum of money annually.
Mr. De Chaumes is a shrewd, practical and far-seeing man of business, well qualified to discharge the necessary duties of life, and well adapted to the active life he has led. He has seen many important changes take place in Texas, and after various ups and downs is now in good circumstances. He was married January 3, 1855, to Mrs. Susan (Anderson) Morris, who was born in Pike county, Missouri, July 4, 1831, a daughter of Carter and Margaret (Lair) Anderson, and widow of Samuel B. Morris, whom she married in 1847, and by whom she became the mother of three children: Robert, who died after reaching manhood, leaving one son, Charlie; Laura and Mary, the last dying at the age of fifteen. Mr. and Mrs. De Chaumes had nine children, four of whom are living: Henrietta; David S., who is married and has two sons, Harry F. and J. Orman; Helen and Hortense. Mr. De Chaumes, his wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source: Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
DE CHAUMES, Henry Michael
The sixty-six years that have passed over the head of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch have witnessed a wonderful transformation in Southern Texas, and during all these years he has been an active observer of the trend of events. He has not been merely a "looker on in Venice" but a citizen who has, in his quiet and unostentatious way, contributed his share to the development of the section in which he resides.
He comes of worthy antecedents, and was born in Paris, France, January 24, 1828, a son of Michael and Marie De Chaumes, by whom he was brought to the United States a year after his birth, their landing being made at Norfolk, Virginia. Shortly afterward, however, they moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington, District of Columbia, the father successfully following his profession, that of an architect. In 1837 he took up his residence in Houston, Texas, and continued to follow his calling up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1871, at the age of seventy-five years. He designed and erected the old county courthouse, designed and built the old academy that was recently torn down, and numerous buildings that stand as monuments to his skill and knowledge of his calling are scattered throughout Harris and surrounding counties. He also superintended the erection of the first capitol built at Austin. He was left a widower in 1866, at which time his wife had attained the age of seventy-five years. In 1838 Henry Michael De Chaumes came to Texas with his mother and the children, but in 1846 left Houston to learn the tinner's trade in Galveston, at which he served three years' apprenticeship. Returning to Houston, he worked for J. R. Morris till 1851, when he removed to Bastrop, Texas, where he made his home up to the opening of the Civil war. During the progress of the great struggle he was in the employ of the Confederate government, detailed to the gun-manufacturing department, but when hostilities had ceased he returned to Houston, and in 1866 formed a partnership with Messrs. Dunn and Hale in the hardware and tinware business on Preston avenue, between Travis and Main streets. This firm was known as one of the leading ones of the kind in this portion of the State, and was in existence until 1868, when Mr. Hale retired and his interest was purchased by S. C. Timpson, after which the store was moved to the ground on which Kiam's building now stands. At the end of three years Mr. Timpson retired, and Mr. De Chaumes and Mr. Dunn continued alone up to 1880, at which time Mr. De Chaumes disposed of his interest to Mr. Blake and started an establishment of his own on Travis street, opposite the market, where he continued to hold forth for two years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was in the tin department of their shops in Houston for some time. In 1887 he went to Smithville, Texas, where he opened a tin and hardware store, continuing successfully to conduct the same for six years. At the end of this time he returned to Houston, and now has a pleasant and comfortable home at 2203 San Jacinto street. He is the owner of an entire block in the city, which is a valuable piece of property, and from the three houses which are erected thereon he derives a respectable sum of money annually.
Mr. De Chaumes is a shrewd, practical and far-seeing man of business, well qualified to discharge the necessary duties of life, and well adapted to the active life he has led. He has seen many important changes take place in Texas, and after various ups and downs is now in good circumstances. He was married January 3, 1855, to Mrs. Susan (Anderson) Morris, who was born in Pike county, Missouri, July 4, 1831, a daughter of Carter and Margaret (Lair) Anderson, and widow of Samuel B. Morris, whom she married in 1847, and by whom she became the mother of three children: Robert, who died after reaching manhood, leaving one son, Charlie; Laura and Mary, the last dying at the age of fifteen. Mr. and Mrs. De Chaumes had nine children, four of whom are living: Henrietta; David S., who is married and has two sons, Harry F. and J. Orman; Helen and Hortense. Mr. De Chaumes, his wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source: Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
The sixty-six years that have passed over the head of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch have witnessed a wonderful transformation in Southern Texas, and during all these years he has been an active observer of the trend of events. He has not been merely a "looker on in Venice" but a citizen who has, in his quiet and unostentatious way, contributed his share to the development of the section in which he resides.
He comes of worthy antecedents, and was born in Paris, France, January 24, 1828, a son of Michael and Marie De Chaumes, by whom he was brought to the United States a year after his birth, their landing being made at Norfolk, Virginia. Shortly afterward, however, they moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington, District of Columbia, the father successfully following his profession, that of an architect. In 1837 he took up his residence in Houston, Texas, and continued to follow his calling up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1871, at the age of seventy-five years. He designed and erected the old county courthouse, designed and built the old academy that was recently torn down, and numerous buildings that stand as monuments to his skill and knowledge of his calling are scattered throughout Harris and surrounding counties. He also superintended the erection of the first capitol built at Austin. He was left a widower in 1866, at which time his wife had attained the age of seventy-five years. In 1838 Henry Michael De Chaumes came to Texas with his mother and the children, but in 1846 left Houston to learn the tinner's trade in Galveston, at which he served three years' apprenticeship. Returning to Houston, he worked for J. R. Morris till 1851, when he removed to Bastrop, Texas, where he made his home up to the opening of the Civil war. During the progress of the great struggle he was in the employ of the Confederate government, detailed to the gun-manufacturing department, but when hostilities had ceased he returned to Houston, and in 1866 formed a partnership with Messrs. Dunn and Hale in the hardware and tinware business on Preston avenue, between Travis and Main streets. This firm was known as one of the leading ones of the kind in this portion of the State, and was in existence until 1868, when Mr. Hale retired and his interest was purchased by S. C. Timpson, after which the store was moved to the ground on which Kiam's building now stands. At the end of three years Mr. Timpson retired, and Mr. De Chaumes and Mr. Dunn continued alone up to 1880, at which time Mr. De Chaumes disposed of his interest to Mr. Blake and started an establishment of his own on Travis street, opposite the market, where he continued to hold forth for two years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was in the tin department of their shops in Houston for some time. In 1887 he went to Smithville, Texas, where he opened a tin and hardware store, continuing successfully to conduct the same for six years. At the end of this time he returned to Houston, and now has a pleasant and comfortable home at 2203 San Jacinto street. He is the owner of an entire block in the city, which is a valuable piece of property, and from the three houses which are erected thereon he derives a respectable sum of money annually.
Mr. De Chaumes is a shrewd, practical and far-seeing man of business, well qualified to discharge the necessary duties of life, and well adapted to the active life he has led. He has seen many important changes take place in Texas, and after various ups and downs is now in good circumstances. He was married January 3, 1855, to Mrs. Susan (Anderson) Morris, who was born in Pike county, Missouri, July 4, 1831, a daughter of Carter and Margaret (Lair) Anderson, and widow of Samuel B. Morris, whom she married in 1847, and by whom she became the mother of three children: Robert, who died after reaching manhood, leaving one son, Charlie; Laura and Mary, the last dying at the age of fifteen. Mr. and Mrs. De Chaumes had nine children, four of whom are living: Henrietta; David S., who is married and has two sons, Harry F. and J. Orman; Helen and Hortense. Mr. De Chaumes, his wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source: Biographical History of the Cities of Houston and Galveston (1895)
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