History
In April 1858, Mansfield “Manse” Ford House was born in Williamson County, Tennessee. He was the son of Samuel S. House and Sarah J. House. For his first employment, Treasurer House served as a teacher for one year, and then he became the Deputy County Court Clerk for Williamson County. Later on he served as Deputy Circuit Court Clerk of Williamson County.
Treasurer House then began a career in the Tennessee state government. From 1883 to 1885, Treasurer House served as Chief Clerk in the State Treasurer’s office in Nashville. He was then appointed to work in the State Treasurer’s office under the direction of Treasurer Atha Thomas. When Treasurer Thomas was not re-elected for the State Treasurer position, Treasurer House continued in his Chief Clerk position under the newly elected Treasurer James W. Thomas.
Only one year later, in 1886, Treasurer James’s chronic case of dysentery affected his health and on October 25, 1886, Treasurer Thomas passed away. As a result of the unexpected vacancy, Governor Bate appointed the former State Treasurer, Atha Thomas, to fill the position.
In March of 1888, Treasurer House married Alice Lee Wood in Hardeman, Tennessee. The couple eventually had three children. Their names were Mansfield House, Jr., Charles W. House and Marian House.
Only a year after his marriage to Alice, Treasurer House was elected as the State Treasurer of Tennessee in 1889. Treasurer House served as State Treasurer from 1889 to 1893.
After serving as State Treasurer, he and his family moved to Joplin, Missouri. Treasurer House died on January 31, 1909 in Joplin, Missouri at the age of 51. Although he died in Missouri, he was buried at his brother’s residence in Franklin, Tennessee.
Reference: “The Treasurer’s Office: Portraits and Sketches of Treasurer Thomas and Mr. Manse F. House,” Daily American, January 28, 1887, p.5; “Manse House Dead: Former State Treasurer of Tennessee Passes Away in Missouri,” The Nashville American, February 3, 1909, p.4; 1900 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com; Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, TN; “Atha Thomas: Governor Bate Fills the Vacancy in the State Treasurership,” Daily American, 27 October 1886, p.4.