Notizen zu dieser Person
Zimmermann Carpenter
#30189
Name: Christian Frederick William Brockman
Birth Date: 24 Nov 1837
Birth Place: Melle, Germany
Passport Issue Date: 30 Nov 1874
Passport Includes a Photo: N
Source: Passport Applications, 1795-1905 (M1372)
Name: Christian Friedrich Wilhelm Brockmann
Gender: männlich (Male)
Event Type: Taufe (Baptism)
Birth Date: 24 Nov 1837
Baptism Date: 3 Dez 1837 (3 Dec 1837)
Baptism Place: Melle, Hannover, Deutschland (Germany)
Father: Christiane Friedrich Brockmann
Mother: Margrethe Clare Charlote Brockmann
Author: Evangelische Kirche Melle (KrSt. Melle)
City or District: Kr, Melle u. Stadt
Parish as it Appears: Melle
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.
Ingo
Brockmann
