Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Brockman, William 1837 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 8:06 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) WILLIAM BROCKMAN. Among those who have come from foreign lands to become prominent in business circles of Columbus is William Brockman, the well-known contractor. His success in all his undertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry, economy and strict, unswerving integrity. His enterprise and progressive spirit have made him a typical Indianian in every sense of the word, and he well deserves mention in her history. What he is today he has made himself, for he began in the world with nothing but his own energy and willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to the prominent position which he now holds, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him. Mr. Brockman was born in Melle, Germany, on the 24th of November, 1837, and is a son of Frederick and Charlotte (Landehr) Brockman, who were also natives of the same country. The father was born in the year 1811 and died in 1849, when only thirty-eight years of age, while attempting to save a boy from drowning. His wife's birth occurred in 1817, and she long survived him and died at a very recent date. William Brockman was reared in the fatherland and acquired his education in the schools of that country in accordance with its educational laws. When a youth of fourteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship to the cabinetmaker's trade, in which he soon acquired great proficiency. Being impressed with the advantages of America and the opportunities for young men in the land of the free, he severed the ties which bound him to Germany and in the year 1857 embarked for the United States, hoping that he might have better opportunities here. He landed in New York and there pursued his trade of cabinetmaking for one year. In 1858, however, he sought a home in a district further west, coming to Indiana. He made choice of Columbus as a place of residence and has since lived in Bartholomew county. In this city he was employed by different parties who were engaged in cabinetmaking, thus spending his time until 1866, when he entered upon an independent business career by the forming of a partnership with John W. Perkinson in the planing-mill business. They were associated for some time and then Mr. Brockman entered into partnership relations with Adam Keller in 1870. They soon became recognized as the leading manufacturers in their line in Columbus and did an extensive planing-mill business, carrying on operations on a large scale. The output of their mill found a ready sale on the market, because of the excellence of the product, the well-known reliability of the house and the promptness with which contracts were executed. Mr. Brockman may well be called a self-made man, having justly earned this title, for he has depended upon his own resources from early boyhood. His passage from Germany to New York was paid by a friend, and he labored faithfully after his arrival in the eastern metropolis in order to earn the money to discharge this indebtedness. By careful and economical expenditure in his earlier business career he gained money sufficient to enable him to start in business on his own account and eventually, by the exercise of sound judgment, close application and unfaltering energy, he gained a handsome competence that now enables him to live retired from further business cares. Mr. Brockman has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Elizabeth Pfeifer, who-died in the year 1865, leaving one child, Malinda. For his second wife Mr. Brockman chose Miss Katie Werner, their wedding being celebrated in 1868. She, too, was a native of Germany and to her husband has been a faithful companion and helpmate for more than a third of a century. This union has been blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Frank, Charlotte, Mary, Kate and Willis. In his fraternal relations Mr. Brockman is an Odd Fellow and is also connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His political views are in harmony with the principles of the Democracy, but aside from casting his ballot in support of its candidates he has never taken an active part in political work. He is well known in Columbus and is a high type of the German American citizen, who has been an important factor in the development and material progress of this country. He began life a poor boy, but his financial valuation now represents a large figure. His wealth has been accumulated by untiring industry and judicious investments and throughout his entire career there has been no action on his part that could call forth adverse criticism. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world and high on the roll of honored citizens of Columbus his name is now inscribed. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/brockman718gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb