San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-02
August Sets New High Record in Real Estate and Building Here
H. C.. ThOrman Builds 1000 Homes Here

ii. 4. Ihorman mas done everything
from selling newspapers to building
and selling 1000 houses, but what
probably is the most remarkable event
in his 50 years of life is the building,
trading and renting of his first home
in San Antonio.
This home was constructed by Mr..
Thorman in 1910. Outside of $67
worth of hired labor, Mr.. Thorman
built this two-story house with his
own hands at a total cost of $4,000,
which includes the purchase price of
the lot. 1t is located CT Biering ave-
nue..
After constructing this house Mr..
Thorman made il his home for num-
Der of years after which he sold it
for the first time. Since that first
sale, the house has changed hands
seven times. Mr.. Thorman is its pres
ent owner, this being the fourth time
he has been able to call it his own.
Today he is renting it for $50 a month.
He says he made substantial profits
on the property every time he sold
it. The house and lot today arc
valued at $4,000.
How He Began Building.
Mr.. Thorman secured his first
contract for the construction of n
residence when he was but is years
old. He left school when but small
boy of IL and carried newspaper
route in Toledo, Ohio. The route was
fourteen miles long, Mr.. Thorman
says, and he walked the entire dis
lance. But this was not Mr.. Thor
mans first job, for when a smaller
boy, secretly years old, he picked
Strawberries and did otler work about
the farm.
Soon after he left school, which. in
cidentally. was enc of those old-fash-
toned country schools Mr.. Thorman
began learning the timing and slat-
ing trade. For n year he worked as
a helper at $3.50 n week. When he
was Is years old. Mr.. Thorman con-
structed his first house. 1t was n
five-room cottage. During the early
years of his life, Mr.. Thorman also
learneRmasonry. After travelling over
a large part of the United States.
and getting married in the course of
events. this mason, timer. slater and
carpenter arrived in San Antonio with
Il wife and one child during the year
of 1907. 1t was about this time that
the international fair was being held
here. On arriving in San Antonio
Mr.. Thorman had exactly $50 between
his family and starvation. On the
tnllnnIn1 .bny ha
! street lights were still burning, Mr..
Thorman began TO look for Il job.
He did not have TO look long. how
ever, for good mechanic can usually
find employment, and Mr.. Thorman
apparently was or excellent one.
His first JOB was laying bricks on
4 residence on Seventh street. Mr..
Thorman took this :'b by contract
and by beginning work at daybreali
and working until dark he was able
to complete the lob j . one week. lie
made $40 for his weeks work.
Puts on First Low.term Sale.
Shortly after this, Mr.. Thorman be-
gan constructing homes in San Anto.
MO By contract. 1t was in 1911 when
he constructed his first group of
houses and sold them himself. They
are still standing on Devine street,
and are occupied by some of San An
tonio's well known residents. There
were so houses in the first house sale
put on here by Mr.. Thorman. and
they were sold at 500 down and So
n month. Mr.. Thorman claims the
distinction of being the first local real
estate man or home builder to put on
a house sale Mt these low terms.
From the time Mr.. Thorman began
building homes here until today. there
has not been a complaint as 80 their
GUrab;iity. When he was lea ,uia,s his
trades Mr.. Thciman attended might
school where Re studied arc'itc,tuIe
With his home study and practical
knowledge Mr.. TrOrman is construct
ing some Of San Antonio'S most beau
tiful as we'll rs substantial homes.
Builds 1900 Houses.
During his life time Mr.. Thormar
has constructed 1900 houses. More
structcd in San Antonio. Hc has built
homes in practically eIery residential
district in the city and is planning
TO construct about so more homes
during the coming fall which will be-
located in his Country Club Place and
in Highland Pari.
Not only is Mr.. Thorman well
known rs home builder and n me-
chanic but he is widely known as an
experienced oil man. During the last
several years he has invested heavily
in oil. however. luck has been with him
in this phase of his business life. Burl;-
burnett and T.uling have been the
rrincipal fields invested in by Mr..
Thorman.
Just prior 10 his indenendent home
building activities Mr.. Thorman con-
structed homes for another builder by
contract. When he gave up this con-
tract he Immediately began to- work
for himself. In 1911 he established his
first office in the old Central office
building which is now the Grayburg
building.
Saving Brings Success.
Mr.. Thorman attributes his success
to the fact that he has made it his
nolicy TO save something out of every
- l.. g