GOD and TEXAS: Breadline Banker

He was known for his Christianity, hospitality, and charity to the poor and orphans. This is part of the inscription on the historical marker at the former location of the house of John Twohig. Though his house has been moved and rebuilt on the grounds of the Witte Museum in San Antonio, the marker on the banks of the San Antonio River reminds us of a most unusual man.

Born in Ireland in 1806, Twohig immigrated to Texas after years in the British shipping industry. In 1830, he established a mercantile business in San Antonio and supported the Texian revolution against Mexico. In 1835, he joined Ben Milam in house to house fighting against the troops of General Martin Perfecto de Cos in the Battle of Bexar.

After Texas won independence at San Jacinto, Twohig became a wealthy banker, business owner, and land merchant. But in 1842, hostilities with Mexico returned. Hearing that Mexican General Adrián Woll was marching to capture San Antonio, Twohig opened the doors of his store to local residents to take anything they wanted rather than let the Mexican Army have it. Once the store was empty, Twohig exploded all the remaining gunpowder and ammunition.

Unfortunately, Twohig and 14 others were captured by Woll and taken to the prison in Perote, Mexico. Condemned to die, he escaped with nine other captive Texans by digging a tunnel through the walls of the jail. Undeterred, Twohig returned to Texas and rebuilt his business.

In 1850, Twohig founded the city of Eagle Pass on the 5000 acres he owned. Two years later, when approached by Father Leopold Bonaventura Maria Moczygemba about providing land for immigrants from Prussia (now Poland), he offered his land southeast of San Antonio. With Moczygemba, he mapped and surveyed his land at the confluence of the San Antonio River and Cibolo Creek in Karnes County. The town became known as Panna Maria, now the oldest Polish settlement in America.

When the Civil War ended in 1865, Twohig’s businesses were decimated. However, through shrewd decisions and uncommon philanthropy, Twohig rebounded to greater wealth than before. By 1870, he was ranked as one of the top 100 wealthy men in Texas!

To many of the underprivileged, Twohig was known as the “breadline banker.” He bought loaves of bread by the barrel and handed them out to poor families every Saturday night at his house. Additionally, he was a prime supporter of his church, funded the establishment of the St. Joseph’s Orphanage, and was the main benefactor of the Brothers of the Society of Mary School.

John Twohig understood Psalm 41:1 NLT, “Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble.” Never forget that God honors those who care for others.

For more inspirational reading please visit www.davidroseministries.com

To purchase the book GOD and TEXAS by David G. Rose please visit www.amazon.com