Donoghue, Thomas J., House

The Thomas J. Donoghue House is an excellent example of Georgian Revival architecture and reflects the elegance and architectural quality common along Courtlandt Place, one of Houston's earliest and most exclusive subdivisions. The New York firm of Warren and Wetmore, nationally prominent architects of the period, was the only non-Texas firm to design a house on the avenue. In addition, the house displays superior craftsmanship in the carved details by Peter Mansbendel, Texas' most famous 20th century wood carver. Finally, the house remains one of Houston's important historical landmarks, as the home for 30 years of Thomas J. Donoghue, one of Texas' earliest and most prominent oilmen.

The New York firm of Warren and Wetmore, best known for its 1903-13 design of the Grand Central Terminal in New York City, was hired in 1911 to design Houston's Union Station. When the firm returned in 1915 to design the Texas Company Building, Thomas J, Donoghue, first vice-president of the Texas Company, hired Warren and Wetmore to design a house for his family on Courtlandt Place. One of the country's renowned firms in the early 20th century, Warren and Wetmore were responsible for the designs of Grand Central Station, New York; Grand Trunk Station, Winnipeg, Canada; the Ritz-Carlton and Belmont Hotels, New York; many private residences; the bronze gates at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; the Library of Louvain University; and many others.

The most significant interior features of the Donoghue House are the carved woodwork and limestone by Peter Mansbendel. Born in Basle, Switzerland, in 1883, Mansbendel began an apprenticeship to a local master carver at the age of 10. Six years later he entered the Industrial Arts School. After completing compulsory service in the Swiss army, Mansbendel traveled to London to study the carvings of Grinling Gibbons and then journeyed to Paris where he completed his formal education at the Coquier-Roland School of Art. In 1907 he immigrated to the United States, working first in Boston and then in New York, where he had charge of the woodcarving department of L. Marcotte and Co., an interior decorating firm. He also taught classes in clay modeling at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, In New York he met Miss Clotilde Shipe of Austin, Texas, and followed her to Austin, marrying her in 1911. They returned to New York for a short while, but in 1915 decided to settle permanently in Austin.

In Texas Mansbendel became known as the leading artist in his profession and during the 1920's and '30's prominent architects would summon him to put finishing touches on their most important projects. His fireplace mantels were especially popular. In addition to architectural detail work, he also created an endless array of furniture and household decorative items. Most of his work is concentrated in Austin, but additional examples rest in fashionable homes in Dallas and Houston. The intricately carved doors of the restored Spanish Governor's Palace and the Mission San Jose in San Antonio are his most public works. In addition, in the spacious lobby of the University of Texas Union, his handicraft is evident in the portrait plaques depicting former presidents of the university. Peter Mansbendel died of cancer on July 20, 1940.

The owner and original builder of the house, Thomas Joseph Donoghue, was one of the early leaders in the Texas oil industry. Born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1869, Thomas J. Donoghue attended public schools in Titusville and Bradford, Pennsylvania, At the age of 15, Donoghue entered the pipeline department of the Standard Oil Company at Bradford, winning promotions in that and in the purchasing department. In 1901 he came to Corsicana, Texas, with J. S. Cullinan and in 1902 he went to Beaumont and became one of the organizers of the Texas Company (later Texaco). In addition to being Treasurer from 1903 to 1907, Mr. Donoghue served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1902-1934, member of the Executive Committee and a director of its subsidiaries. When T. J. Donoghue retired from the Texas Company at the age of 70 in 1939, he was Executive Vice-President. In 1945 Mr. Donoghue died as a result of a fall. Mrs. Donoghue continued to live in their home on Courtlandt place until her death in 1963. The house sold in 1965.