Catharine House left Baden, Germany and set sail for America in 1817 with her parents, one brother, three sisters, Michael Rusie (who would become her husband), and two others. Her father died during the voyage and was buried at sea. They landed in Baltimore, Maryland but eventually settled in Virginia where she and Michael married in 1819. The couple came to Mooresville in December 1836. They became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church here. Of nine children the couple had, two predeceased Catharine. Michael died in 1873.

Catharine's sister, Barbara House Butner, and mother, Margaret House, are buried at Mooresville Episcopal Cemetery. Catharine's brother, John House, is buried near her in the Mooresville Cemetery.