1919 Lubbock; lot 12 & W 1/2 of 11, block 429
On October 19, 1882 W. R. Baker sells lot 12 to Charles Babin for $125 cash (25/542). On October 5, 1887 W. R. Baker sells the west half of lot 11 to Charles Babin for $100 ($50 cash and a note for $50) (42/95).
Charles Babin:
On November 3, 1877 Charles Babin married Miss Olya C. Bissonet in Harris Co. In the 1880 census Chas. Babin (36, carpenter) and his wife Olya (23) live at 46 Smith. In the 1882-83 city directory Charles Babin, carpenter, resides at 46 Smith near Prairie. In 1884-85 he lives on the southeast corner of White and Lubbock. He may be living in the large 2-story house that we see in the 1907 Sanborn map, or he may be living in a smaller structure. He continues to live on the southeast corner of
White and Lubbock (1919 Lubbock) until 1899. In the 1900 census he and his wife are living in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The 1896 Sanborn map does not show the 1900 block of Lubbock. The 1907 map shows a story house at 1919 Lubbock with a 2-story porch that covers most of the front of the house and a wide 1-story rear extension on the east side. There is an inset service porch on the east side of the extension. The house is entirely on lot 12. A 2-story stable is on the rear of lot 12. In 1924 the house is the same. The stable has become a 1-story garage. In 1950 the house and garage are the same.
On September 6, 1894 Charles Babin and Olya Babin, his wife, declare that the west half of lot 11 is their homestead and that they have abandoned lot 12, where they theretofore lived, as their homestead. (75/373)
By 1907 there is nothing on the west half of lot 11. Maybe there was a dwelling there is 1894. The large 2-story house on lot 12 may have been built by Charles Babin during his
ownership, or it may have been built after he sold the property to Mrs. Tousey in 1902.
On February 11, 1902 Charles Babin and Olya Babin, his wife, sell lot 12 and the west half of lot 11 to Mrs. Etta M. Tousey, wife of Thomas K. Tousey, as her individual and separate
property for $1500 cash. (139/17)
Tousey:
Thomas K. Tousey was a horse and mule dealer. He died in 1922. In city directories his widow continues to live at 1919 Lubbock until 1939. In the 1930 census her two unmarried sons live with her.
On January 20, 1939 Etta M. Tousey, widow of Thomas K. Tousey, who died in Houston December 19, 1922, sells lot 12 and the west half of lot 11 to A. L. Hunter and wife Irene Hunter for $1000 cash and a promissory note for $1750. The improvements are to be insured for at least $2000. (1096/766)
A. L. Hunter never lived at 1919 Lubbock. He died in 1945, and his death certificate says that he was self-employed in real estate. His wife Irene Hunter died in 1957, and the informant on her death certificate is Mrs. J. S. Nelson.
Siros:
1919 Lubbock on lot 12 is in city directories for the last time in 1956. It is marked "Apts.". 610 White, which is also on lot 12, is in city directories for the first time in 1953.
Amusement Enterprises (Wm. V. Siros) is located there. In 1954 Courtesy Advertising Co. (Wm. V. Siros, mgr) joins Amusement Enterprises at 610 White. In 1956 those companies and also
American Travelers Association, an auto club, are at 610 White. The auto club is there until about 1960. Billboard Advertising is there until about 1965. William V. Siros is living at 1917 Lubbock from 1955 until 1964.
On November 22, 1962 Mrs. Clifford Desolee Nelson leases lot 12 and the west half of lot 11, Lubbock at White, to William V. Siros for 10 years beginning December 1, 1962 for $400/year to be occupied as "business and shop". (022-37-1089)
Mrs. Clifford Desolee Nelson and Mrs. J. S. Nelson, mentioned above, are the same person, and William V. Siros is her son. It seems obvious that her ownership of lot 12 and the west half of lot 11 is based on her relationship with Irene Hunter. I don't know the nature of that relationship. Irene Hunter's estate was probated, and the applicant was Clifford D. Nelson/Hayes.
According to an affidavit in the deed records Clifford Desolee Hayes married Will Siros, and they had one child William Virgil Siros. Their marriage ended in divorce and she married James S. Nelson. She died February 5, 1979. (533-87-2463).
William V. Siros was born in 1915, and his mother remarried December 24, 1935. Walter Lee Siros is a son of William V. Siros.
In an affidavit dated June 12, 2000 Walter Lee Siros states that he is the surviving tenant of William V. Siros, who died
December 20, 1998. In her will Clifford Desolee Nelson bequeathed lot 12 and the west half of lot 11 to William V. Siros and Walter Lee Siros jointly and in equal shares. On December 23, 1997 they signed a joint tenancy agreement. (532-85-2647)
Chuck Stava knew Bill Siros in the last years of his life. He was one of the neighborhood's more colorful inhabitants.
610 White was formerly known as the Wagonwheel lot. I knew Bill Siros and talked to him a few times. He was one of OSW’s most colorful characters in the neighborhood’s history. He used to be a traveling carnival performer until he started a very successful coin machine business. Many decades ago, he would allow retired/unable-to-work carnival sideshow performers with severe physical deformities live on his White St property. Some had hypertrichosis, microcephaly, etc. They weren’t able to live on their own, so Bill was kind enough to let them under his wing. He would commute from his residence in Pearland every day to check on the boarders. During the first few months people from all over would drive to the corner to stare at these poor folks. In order to give them privacy Bill erected a tall fence around that property and embellished it with wagon wheels. Hence it was known as the wagonwheel lot. I don’t remember seeing a house there, only a couple of small makeshift/ crude
structures. One of them was built with corrugated metal.
Bill used to tell me stories about some of the stunts that he conducted; such as floating a woman down the streets and designing some thrill rides.
My notes show that Bill Siros tore down the house in order to create space for his carnival business (rides, trailers, etc), but kept the rear structure. That structure became known as 610 White.
Bill Siros did not operate a carnival business on lot 12; it was used as a storage lot. After Bill's death 610 White was
demolished, and the large stucco-clad house that was built on the property again has the address 1919 Lubbock. It is
sometimes referred to as the "igloo" because it was built with styrofoam panels (ICFs).
QCD Walter L. Siros > Rosemary Rothaermel; 12/20/1999; 529-75-0920
W/D Walter Lee Siros > Rosemary Rothaermel; 7/18/2000; 533-51-3410
W/D Rosemary Rothaermel > Michael Chapman; 8/2/2000; 533-87-2466
W/D Michael Chapman > Today's Business Solutions LLC; 11/14/2014; ER063-26-1138
W/D Today's Business Solutions LLC > 1919 Lubbock LLC; 10/3/2017; RP-2017-436935
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Neal Parker, 1816 Lubbock updated 1/30/2020
Chuck Stava, 2214 Kane
Census:
1880 46 Smith
Chas Babin MW 36 carpenter Olya " FW 23 keeping house
1900 Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, La
Louis C. Babin 54 MW M22 carpenter RH Olya " 43 FW M22/0/0
Adile Bissonnet 39 FW S sister-in-law
1900 1919 Lubbock
Thomas K. Tousey MW 45 M22 stock salesman RH Etta " FW 42 M22/4/2
Harry " MW 17 S apprentice electrician Robert " MW 12 S at school
1910 1919 Lubbock
T. K. Tousey MW 58 M1/31 stockman OFH Etta " FW 52 M1/?/4/2
Robt " MW 22 S laberer/grocery store 1920 1919 Lubbock
Thomas K. Tousey MW 67 M buyer/livestock OF Etta M. " FW 61 M
Robert R. " MW 32 S engineer/gasoline boat one lodger
1930 1919 Lubbock
Etta M. Tousie FW 71 Wd O/$3000
Harry T. " MW 47 S foreman/artifical limb Robert R. " MW 42 D fisherman/own boat
1940 James S. Nelson (40, M) and wife Desolee Nelson (41, M) live in Houston.
Find-a-Grave:
T. K. Tousey 1852 -- 1922 Holton Cem., Holton, Jackson Co., Kansas
T. K. Tousey was born in Covington, Ky., August 29, 1852, and died at Houston, Texas, December 19, 1922. Mr. Tousey came to Holton, Kan., in 1874. Was married in 1878 to Miss Etta M. Robinson of this county. Moved to Buffalo, Mo., in 1884, where with his brother, Moses Tousey, he engaged in the banking business. A year later he moved to Clay Center, Kan., where he lived and engaged in business twelve years. From Clay Center he moved to Houston, Texas, where he engaged extensively in buying and shipping to market horses and mules. Some seven years ago, on
account of declining health he retired from business. Mr. Tousey is survived by his widow and two sons. ... Interment in the Holton cemetery.
The Holton Recorder, December 28, 1922.
Thomas Tousey ... Mr. Tousey had been suffering for some years from paralysis, of which he died. The Holton Recorder, December 21, 1922.
Texas Death Certificates:
Thomas Kennedy Tousey, 1919 Lubbock, stockman; died Dec 19, 1922 at age 70; born Aug 29, 1852 in Covington, Ky; burial in Holton, Kansas
R. R. Tousey, 1919 Lubbock, single, cook, 45 yrs in Houston; died March 22, 1938 at age 50 yrs, 3 mos, 4 days; born Dec 18, 1887 in Claycenter, Kansas; father Thomas K. Tousey; mother Etta M. Robinson; informant Mrs. T. K. Tousey, 1919 Lubbock; burial in Holton, Kansas
Arthur L. Hunter, 1644 Richmond, real estate/self, 55 yrs in Houston; died Feb 17, 1945 aged 66 yrs 0 mos 17 days; born Jan 30, 1879; informant Mrs. A. L. Hunter; to be buried in Forest Park
Irene Hunter, 1644 Richmond, widowed; died Oct 7, 1957 aged 74 yrs 10 mos 6 days; born Dec 1, 1882 in Bonham, Texas; informant Mrs. J. S. Nelson
William Virgil Siros, 610 White St., entertainer; died December 20, 1998 at age 83; born May 10, 1915; father Will Siros; mother Desolee Clifford Hays; this death certificate recorded 532-85-2647
Probate:
In case 062778 in Harris Co. filed 11/21/1957 Irene Hunter is the deceased and Clifford D. Nelson/Hayes, 1644 Richmond Rd., is the applicant.
Marriage:
Mr. Charles Babin m. Miss Olya C. Bissonnet Nov 3, 1877 in Harris Co.
Will Siros m. Miss Deslee Hayes April 25, 1914 in Harris Co. James Sylvester Nelson m. Mrs. C. D. Siros Dec 24, 1935 in Brazoria Co.
Texas Birth Index:
Walter Lee Siros born 9 Oct 1940 in Harris Co. to William Virgil Siros and Vivian Peterson
1867-68 W. A. Leonard's City Directory; 184 pages 1870-71 Murray's City Directory; 97 pages
1873 Houston City Directory; 93 pages No directory between 1873 and 1877
1877-78 Mooney & Morrison's City Directory; 301 pages 1879-80 C. D. Morrison & Co.'s City Directory; 288 pages 1880-81 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 394 pages 1882-83 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 248 pages pg 82
Babin Charles, carpenter, r. 46 Smith nr Prairie. 1884-85 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 235 pages pg 42
Babin Charles, carp, r. se cor White, Lubbock.
1886-87 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 255 pages 1887-88 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 200 pages 1889-90 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 264 pages pg 69
Babin Charles, carp, r. 71 Lubbock cor White.
1890-91 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 311 pages 1892-93 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 364 pages pg 60
Babin Charles, carp, r. se cor Lubbock, White. pg 68
Bissonnet Odile Miss, h. Charles Babin.
1894-95 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 348 pages pg 57
Babin Charles, carp, r. 1919 Lubbock cor White. pg 66
Bissonnet Odile Miss, h. Charles Babin.
1895-96 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 263 pages pg 46
pg 53
no Helen or Odile Bissonnet pg 180
no Tousey
1897-98 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 213 pages pg 39
Babin Charles, carp, r. 1919 Lubbock. pg 45
Bissonnet Odile Miss, h. 1919 Lubbock. pg 158
Tousey Thomas K., horse and mule dealer, 501 Preston ave, r. 806 Sabine.
1899 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 281 pages pg 18
Babin Charles, carp, r. 1919 Lubbock. pg 23
Bissonnet Odile Miss, h. 1919 Lubbock. pg 163
Tousey Thomas K., slsmn J. S. Bowser, r. 1914 Lubbock.k
1900-01 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 275 pages pg 20
no Helen Odile Bissonnet pg 23
BOWSER JOHN S., LIVERY, sale and boarding, also horse and mule commission stables, 607, 609, 611 Preston ave, rms same. Phones 413. See advt.
pg 179
Tousey Thomas K., slsmn J. S. Bowser, r. 1919 Lubbock. 1902-03 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 385 pages 1903-04 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 381 pages 1905-06 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 348 pages 1907 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 317 pages 1908-09 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 376 pages 1910-11 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 547 pages pg 418
Tausey Thomas K., stockman Bowser & Towles, r. 1919 Lubbock. 1911-12 Texas Publishing Co. City Directory; 724 pages
1912 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 574 pages 1913 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 700 pages 1915 Houston City Directory; 527 pages
1917 Houston City Directory; 717 pages
1918 Morrison & Fourmy's City Directory; 717 pages 1919 Houston City Directory; 786 pages
1920-21 Houston City Directory; 916 pages 1922 Houston City Directory; 963 pages 1923-24 Houston City Directory; 1055 pages 1926 Houston City Directory; 6 files
1955: Siros Wm V (Clara F) mgr Courtesy Advertising Co h 1917 Lubbock
1957: 1919 Lubbock not present
Contracts:
no contract for Thomas K. or Etta Tousey
