House was[1] born on January 9, 1827, near Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County.

He attended the local academy and the Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

He graduated with a law degree from Cumberland University in 1850, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Franklin, Tennessee.

During the American Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate States Army and served until paroled in Columbus, Mississippi, in June 1865.

House died in Clarksville, Tennessee, on June 28, 1904 (age 77 years, 171 days).