USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume II > Part 43
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On November 25, 1858, Mr. Vawter was united in marriage with Sylvia Hunter, daughter of Joseph and Rhoda Ann Hunter, of Jennings county, a union blessed with two children, Everett B., whose biography ap- pears elsewhere in these pages, and William H., whose birth occurred in 1868, and who, after devoting ten years to the drug business in Lafayette, became traveling salesman for a wholesale drug house, which position he now holds.
Mr. Vawter is a Republican in politics and well versed in the history of parties and in the current issues of the day. He keeps abreast of the times on all matters of public import and takes an active interest in ques- tions concerning which men and parties divide, and is a man of strong con- victions, whose opinions carry weight and command respect. He was reared under the influence of the Baptist church, to which both his parents be- longed, and for a number of years he has been a zealous and respected mem- ber of the church of that denomination in the city of his residence.
In person Mr. Vawter is somewhat below the average stature, of small, though strong and well-developed physique, clear cut features and pleasant countenance, his appearance, bearing and manner indicating the man of thought and action who has always stood for the right and whose optimism makes his presence a welcome addition to the social circle. His life has
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'been somewhat strenuous and, though well advanced in years, he is still alert and vigorous and his friends unite in the wish that he may be spared to bless the world by his personality and influence for many years to come.
BROWN BROCKENBROUGH.
A man of high intellectual attainments and possessed of those innate qualities that indicate the well-bred gentleman, the late Brown Brocken- brough, of Lafayette, was an example well worth emulating. His life was led along such high planes of endeavor, was so consistent to all that is noble and genteel, that the youth, standing at the parting of the ways, whose for- tunes are yet matters for future years to determine, may study it with un- usual benefit. Mr. Brockenbrough was born at Jacksonville, Illinois, May 15, 1834, where he lived until he was nine years of age, at which time he, with his mother, took up his residence at Brownville, New York, where his early education was acquired in the common schools, which he attended until thirteen years of age. His father, Austin Brockenbrough, was a native of Virginia, a representative of as fine an old Southern family as ever honored the Old Dominion state with its residence. He was a graduate of West Point Military Academy, having had from his youth predilections for an army life. After his graduation he held a high position in the United States army for a number of years. His wife, Mary S. Brown, was a woman of more than ordinary attainments, a daughter of Major Gen. Jacob Brown, who became distinguished for his gallantry during the war of 1812. After re- signing his position in the army, Austin Brockenbrough located in Jackson- ville, Illinois. But being a man of such pronounced ability, he was singled out by the government officials at Washington and called upon to serve the United States in an official capacity at Key West, Florida, in which city his death occurred in 1843.
When Brown Brockenbrough was thirteen years of age he moved to Circleville, Ohio, with his older brother, and he was there engaged as clerk in a general merchandise store. These early years of commercial training served him well in after life, having turned his experiences to practical account. He remained at Circleville for nearly five years, then located at Louisville, Kentucky, where he secured ready employment in a bank as book- keeper, which position he very creditably filled for a period of three years, or until he had reached his majority. He then accepted a position as book-
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keeper of the State Bank of Indiana, at Lafayette, which place he held, giv- ing his usual excellent service until the firm was united with the National State Bank of this city, the present National Fowler Bank being a con- tinuation of that institution. Being especially fitted by nature and training for this great line of the world's commercial industries, Mr. Brockenbrough held tenaciously to it, with great credit and honor, for nearly a half century, having during that period successfully performed his duties as bookkeeper, teller, assistant cashier and cashier. He ascended, rung by rung, all un- aided, the ladder of success, by reason of his indomitable will and indefati- gable energy, removing every obstacle he encountered until he had reached the goal of prosperity and a position in the business world second to none of his contemporaries. Honesty, industry and strict fidelity to duty, coupled with a deep and abiding piety gave to his every achievement the crown of righteous success amid important commercial circles. His death occurred July 21. 1905, at York Beach, Maine, while there on vacation.
The chapter bearing on the domestic life of Mr. Brockenbrough dates from September 18, 1860, when, at Rochester, New York, he was united in marriage with Eliza Rich, who was born in Penfield, New York, six miles from the city of Rochester, July 17, 1838, the daughter of Giles B. and Eleanor C. (Ross) Rich, both natives of New York, whose family con- sisted of seven children, three of whom are now living, two daughters and one son. The Rich family, as well as the Rosses, were old and well estab- lished families in the Empire state, members of each having distinguished themselves in various walks of life. When Eliza Rich became of school age she entered Miss Allen's Seminary, later studied at Clover Street Seminary, both located in Rochester, New York, or near there. After graduating she taught a part of one year. She accompanied her father to Lafayette, Indiana, two years prior to her marriage, the family having come to the West while the Wabash railroad was building, Mr. Rich having been a contractor on that road. He was a well-known business man and had a wide acquaintance in the commercial world.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brown Brockenbrough seven children were born, five of whom are living at this writing, four sons and one daughter, namely : Kirby Rich Brockenbrough was born in Lafayette, June 19, 1862, married Grace Botsford, of Cleveland, Ohio, on October 13, 1886, and one child. Louise, born August 14, 1889, has graced this union. Mr. Brockenbrough is agent for the Phoenix Life Insurance Company, and he lives at Providence, Rhode Island. Brown Brockenbrough, Jr., was born in Lafayette, Indiana, April 29, 1869, married Grace Stillwell Anderson, of Lafayette, on June 9,
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1897, and they have one bright little daughter, Matilda Belle, born November 13. 1907. Mr. Brockenbrough is connected with the National Fowler Bank, and he is also vice-president of the Mulberry State Bank, at Mulberry, Clin- ton county, Indiana. He is a very capable and successful business man as well as a refined gentleman in every respect. Willard G. Brockenbrough was born in Lafayette, August 27, 1871. is an optician by profession, being an expert in his line; he has remained single and is living at home. Franklin G. Brockenbrough was born in Lafayette, August 4. 1874, married Ruth Sutherland, September 9, 1903, of Riverside, California; they now reside at Oakland, California, where he is engaged in the insurance business and is known as a man of industry and integrity. Eleanor Brockenbrough, born March 12, 1880, has remained single and is living at home. She received her primary education, as also did her brothers, in the local public and high schools. She then attended Ferry Hall Seminary at Lake Forest, Illinois. All her brothers were students at Purdue University.
The beautiful Brockenbrough home is situated at No. 607 North Sixth street, Lafayette, on the site where the old Tippecanoe county fair was first held. It is an imposing modern structure, elegantly furnished and sur- rounded by attractive lawns. Here the many friends of the family often gather, finding Mrs. Brockenbrough and her estimable daughter admirable hostesses.
SAMUEL L. MITCHELL.
Dependent very largely upon his own resources from early youth, the gentleman whose life record is briefly outlined in the following paragraphs has attained no insignificant success, and though he may have, like many an- other man of affairs, met with some misfortune and encountered many ob- stacles, he has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work for the end which he has in view; consequently he has become one of the representative business men of Tippecanoe county, being the owner of fine land in Indiana and Lake county, Michigan, and a stockholder in one of the best banks in the former state.
Samuel L. Mitchell, of Battle Ground, Indiana, was born in Ireland, Oc- tober 18, 1855, and, like a great number of the sons of that historic little isle, has prospered in the newer and freer land of this western republic. He is the son of John and Christena (Flack) Mitchell, being of good Scotch-Irish stock, both having been born in the Emerald Isle. They were people of
SAMUEL L. MITCHELL
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sterling attributes, and desiring to give their children better opportunities than they had been accustomed to, emigrated to America in 1864, landing on the shores of the New World on the 3d of July and came at once to Tippe- canoe county in the heart of the then great and growing West. They were so poor that they did not have money enough to pay their passage to Amer- ica, but, being a hard worker and economical, he succeeded, first renting a farm, and by dint of hard work finally became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Benton county, Indiana. Mrs. John Mitchell did not live to see the final establishment of the comfortable and commodious home which she and her husband had begun to make, she having been called to her rest in 1869. Mr. Mitchell survived until 1892, when he joined her in the silent land. He was a good and industrious man and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Mitchell, of whom six are living at this writing, as follows: A. N., of Saunemine, Illinois; Essa, wife of Henry Gary, of Benton county, Indiana ; J. E., of White county, this state; Ingram is the owner of one thousand acres of land in Benton county, this state, where he makes his home; Mrs. Jennie Fenters, who lives in Newton, this state; Samuel L., of this review.
Samuel L. Mitchell received a fairly good common-school education, having applied himself in 'a diligent manner to his text-books during the winter months and assisted his father with the farm work in the summer, evincing a liking for agricultural pursuits ; consequently it is not strange that he should select this vocation as his life work. By hard work, economy and good management he prospered from the first and he is now the owner of three hundred and thirteen acres of well improved land in Tippecanoe town- ship, this county, also five hundred and sixty acres in Michigan, besides hav- ing considerable property interests in the city of Lafayette and a stockholder in the National City Bank at Lafayette. He deserves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished considering the fact that he began life poor and has accumulated a competency by reason of persistent industry and honest dealing with his fellowmen. He seems to possess natural business ability of a high order which seldom leads him astray in any transaction.
Mr. Mitchell's private life is pleasant and harmonious, having always been a lover of home and its quiet, wholesome environment, avoiding public office and public display, and he is regarded by those who know him best as a good father, husband and neighbor,-in short, a Christian gentleman.
One of the most interesting chapters in the life of Samuel L. Mitchell is that bearing on his domestic life, which began March 26, 1883, when he espoused Rachel McConnell, of Oxford, Indiana, a lady of fine personal traits
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and the representative of a fine old family. That Mrs. Mitchell has been a great help and inspiration to her husband is evinced from the fact that at their marriage Mr. Mitchell owned only one hundred and eighty acres of land, but since then his progress has been steady and certain.
Three interesting children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mitch- ell, namely : Okah May, born August 3. 1885, who graduated from the Bat- tle Ground high school, having made a splendid record there for scholarship, is still a member of the home circle; Marion P. was born August 20, 1897, and Helen E. first saw the light of day on August 4, 1900. Mr. Mitchell has a modern and beautifully located residence where the numerous friends of the family delight to gather and where hospitality and good cheer are ever dispensed. The entire family are members of the Battle Ground Meth- odist Episcopal church, Mr. Mitchell being a trustee in the same and he liber- ally supports its various lines of laudable work. He is also class leader and steward in this denomination. He also takes an active interest in the Sunday school, having taught a class for many years, in fact, he is considered by the local congregation as a pillar in the church here, being one of the church's most able supporters, both financially and spiritually. In his political rela- tions he votes the Republican ticket, always giving his undivided support to the success of the party.
WILLIAM HERRIMAN, JR.
The gentleman whose life history the biographist here takes under review is one of these strong, sturdy characters who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the community where he lives, being a business man of more than ordinary sagacity and foresight, and as a citizen public-spirited and progressive in all that the term implies. But when we consider the ex- cellent quality of his New England blood, drawn from sterling Scotch-Irish- English ancestry, it is not surprising that he has developed into a man that does things.
William Herriman, Jr., was born in Salem, Massachusetts, November 25, 1844, the son of William and Mary (Troy) Herriman, the former born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch parents, and the mother born in England. They came to the United States when young and settled in Massachusetts. They became the parents of six children, five boys and one daughter, of whom William, Jr., of this review is the only one living. His early educa- tion was obtained in the common schools of Massachusetts. He took a liking to the shoe business early in his youth and began to learn the details of the
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same. Coming west in 1865, he located in Lafayette, Indiana, in January of that year and soon began the manufacture of shoes on the corner of Fourth and South streets, being in the employ of Falley & Hoes. Later he followed the same business on the corner of South and Second streets for himself for a period of five years. He then moved to Canyon City, Colorado, where he took a contract in the state penitentiary to manufacture shoes. Remain- ing there two years, he leased his property there and returned to Lafayette in 1884, where he again took up the manufacture of shoes, which he fol- lowed until machines came in use. He was very successful in his work, hav- ing created a good demand for all he could produce, being a very skilled workman. He is at this writing a traveling salesman for a well-known shoe house, and, owing to his extensive knowledge of the shoe business and his innate qualities as a salesman, he is very successful in this line of work.
Mr. Herriman was married on December 22, 1864, to Mary Roach, daughter of Martin and Anna Roach, of Vermont, but natives of West- minster, Windham county, England. To Mr. and Mrs. Herriman five chil- dren, a son and four daughters, were born, namely: Catherine L., born in 1865. died in infancy; William A., born July 19. ,1866, died in in- fancy; Mary Josephine, born August 19, 1867, died in infancy ; Nellie L., born July 6, 1869, married Walter L. Dickerson, August 21, 1895. and they are the parents of one son, William, who is now thirteen years old; Lillie May, born September 14, 1878, married Amos Mitchell, and is the mother of one child, Mary Imogene Mitchell. Mrs. William Herriman died September 13. 1902, and is sleeping the sleep of the just in Springvale cemetery. She was a woman of many commendable attributes of character.
Mr. Herriman is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 123, Free and Accepted Masons, also Chapter No. 3, and Commandery No. 3. He also belongs to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree. He was made a Mason June 6, 1866. He belongs to Friendship Lodge, No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Lafayette, having joined the latter in 1883. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and is one of the first three now living who gave money toward the erection of a church edifice. He votes the Republican ticket, but is not a party man, always cast- ing his vote for the best man, locally. He takes a lively interest in whatever tends to promote the welfare of Tippecanoe county in any way.
Although now sixty-five years of age, Mr. Herriman is apparently much younger, being well preserved and of a sprightly and cheerful disposition. As a result of his friendly and hospitable nature he has won and retained a host of friends.
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JOHN W. WHALEN.
Perhaps no member of that honorable corps known as "country teachers" is better known than the gentleman concerning whom it is now the intention to furnish some biographical details. He is pre-eminently a country teacher, all his work has been done in the district schools and it has covered a period of almost two decades. Mr. Whalen's early life was one of struggle and hardship. As a child he found himself confronted by poverty and privation, want, and sometimes hunger. His father was a common laborer and even when he had work he was put to it to provide for his family in any but the most scanty way. He was unable to educate his children and after he died they were left to shift for themselves under conditions calculated to chill the most courageous of boys. John W. Whalen, son of Thomas and Bridget (Linet) Whalen, was born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1857, and lost his father by death when eleven years old. As a child he had been brought to Tippecanoe county in 1859, and the death of the parents threw him and the other five children on the charities of a cold world. After he reached maturity Mr. Whalen mourned over his lost opportunity to receive an education and longed for a chance to make up this great deficiency. It came in time and he availed himself of it as best he could. He succeeded in attending a normal at Logansport and put in two years at Purdue during the early eighties, studying in the department devoted to pedagogy. Fin- ishing off by another term at Logansport, Mr. Whalen began in 1884 the pedagogic career which has continued since without a break, with the excep- tion of some five years when ill health compelled him to lay off. In his early manhood he did some structural iron work during the summers, a trade he had mastered in youth, but this was only an interlude from teaching. Altogether he devoted eighteen years to educational work in the district schools in six different localities and he has long been regarded as one of the county's successful instructors. He was from the beginning of his career an enthusiastic Democrat and always active in the ranks as a local worker. During the last campaign, his party nominated him as candidate for trustee of Fairfield township and at the election held November 8, 1908, he was elected, taking office on the first day of the new year. He showed a great strength before the people of the township in which he had taught thirteen years and was practically known to everybody. Being a man of sound judgment, good business sense, watchful of the public interests and well
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posted concerning the needs of the schools, none doubt that he will make a popular and efficient township trustee.
In 1891 Mr. Whalen was united in marriage with Margaret Borsch, a native of Tippecanoe county, and their union has resulted in the birth of one child, Walter D., who was born May 27, 1893, and is at present a student of promise. Mr. Whalen deserved an unusual amount of credit for the suc- cessful fight he made to overcome early disadvantages; especially has his career shown the advantages of obtaining an education, of which he was deprived in youth, but made amends by hard application in later life. He has deserved well of the people for his fine school work and the people have rewarded him with an influential office.
CHARLES KURTZ.
For more than sixty-three years the name of this family has been fa- miliar in Lafayette and it is not too much to say that the head of the house has been highly esteemed during his long residence within the borders of Tippecanoe county. He is perhaps the oldest of the city's settlers, if not the oldest man now living in the community, and though he is resting after the labors of an arduous life, enjoying the repose which comes from duty well performed, all of the older generation remember him with pleasure as long one of the factors in the business life of Lafayette. We are indebted to Germany for this fine contribution to American citizenship, and he is a type of a class to whom this country is greatly indebted for her upbuilding. Jacob and Elizabeth (Snyder) Kurtz were farmers in Germany during the troublous period immediately succeeding the Napoleonic wars. The father, who was a man of enterprise, also did a good deal of trading and in 1853 made a visit to the United States, but does not seem to have remained a great while before returning to his native land. However, he came over again and both himself and wife died at Lafayette, their remains being interred in the Green- bush cemetery, near the city. This worthy couple were parents of fifteen children, nearly all of whom have long since passed away. Caroline, who married Jacob Bower, and Mrs. Charlotte Wiseman, of Cincinnati, are the only surviving daughters.
Charles Kurtz, sole surviving son of his father's large family, was born in Germany June 29, 1825, and remained in his native country for sixteen years, during which time he acquired some education and assisted in the
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parental farm work. In 1841 he decided to cast his lot with the great re- public that had allured so many of his nationality and after the usual ocean trip we find him working for a butcher in Cincinnati. He continued in this employment for four years, mastered the details of the business and then came to Lafayette to look around for a location. In 1846 he located here and permanently embarked in the butcher's business and in time became one of the city's fixtures. In 1895 he retired, after an active career of nearly fifty years in the same pursuit. Mr. Kurtz figured considerably in politics on the Democratic side and was the first councilman from the sixth ward. In 1871 he was elected county commissioner from the first district, but re- signed after serving two years. In 1904 he was elected trustee of Fairfield township, and served until January 1, 1909, making a commendable record for economy and good business judgment. During his administration the tax levy was reduced from fifty-five cents to twenty-two cents. Mr. Kurtz turned more than ten thousand dollars over to his successor and left the township without a dollar of indebtedness. Mr. Kurtz is a charter member of the German Methodist church and has served as trustee since its founding.
Mr. Kurtz was married June 27, 1850, to a Miss Ruger, whose birth occurred under such romantic conditions as to justify detailed mention. While her parents were crossing the gulf of Mexico in a steamboat called "The Mississippi Homer" the mother brought forth a girl baby and quite naturally the passengers were sympathetic over the occurrence. So when the boat reached the mouth of the great river preparatory to coming up to New Orleans, all hands insisted that there must be a christening, and that the ocean-born baby should be named Mary Ann Homer Mississippi Ruger. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz became the parents of fourteen children: William and Louise, residents of Chicago; Amelia, deceased; Charles, a resident of Lafayette; George W. and Mcclellan, deceased; Elizabeth, of Lafayette; Mary, deceased : Anna, of Lafayette; Edward, of Chicago : Catherine; Clare, wife of the auditor of Tippecanoe county ; Belle, and Ray, the latter deceased.
DENNIS T. SULLIVAN.
A varied, adventurous and much-traveled life has been the experience of this well-known citizen of Lafayette. It has been his lot to go far and visit many places ; to see human nature in its different phases; to learn what
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