Washington C. DePauw
Encyclopedia
Washington Charles DePauw (1822 – 1887) was an American
businessman. DePauw University
is named in his honor.
DePauw was born in Salem, Indiana
, on January 4, 1822. He was grandson of Charles DePauw, who came to the Americas with LaFayette
, and the son of John and Elizabeth Battist DePauw. John DePauw had been a lawyer, judge, and a member of the Indiana Constitutional Convention. He was elected four times to the Indiana legislature before his death in 1838, when Washington was just 16.
Throughout his lifetime, Washington amassed a fortune by investing in ventures such as grain, steel and glass. At one time, he was considered the wealthiest man in Indiana. In 1881 he made provisions to establish a university after his death. During the same time period Asbury College, located in Greencastle, Indiana
, was in need of funds and decided to approach DePauw about donating to the college. The school and DePauw came to an agreement which resulted in changing the name of Asbury College to DePauw University
.
DePauw was married three times. His first marriage – to Sarah Ellen Fletcher – produced one daughter, Sarah Ellen. He next married Katharine Newland, also of Salem, Indiana, on November 28, 1855. Katharine and Washington had three children: Charles Washington, William, and Newland Talbot. After Kate's death he married Frances Leyden. DePauw died on May 5, 1887, in Chicago, Illinois. John Baptiste Ford
was W.C. De Pauw's first cousin and one time business partner.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman. DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
is named in his honor.
Salem, Indiana
Salem is a city in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States. Salem serves as the county seat, and its downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places...
, on January 4, 1822. He was grandson of Charles DePauw, who came to the Americas with LaFayette
Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette
Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette , often known as simply Lafayette, was a French aristocrat and military officer born in Chavaniac, in the province of Auvergne in south central France...
, and the son of John and Elizabeth Battist DePauw. John DePauw had been a lawyer, judge, and a member of the Indiana Constitutional Convention. He was elected four times to the Indiana legislature before his death in 1838, when Washington was just 16.
Throughout his lifetime, Washington amassed a fortune by investing in ventures such as grain, steel and glass. At one time, he was considered the wealthiest man in Indiana. In 1881 he made provisions to establish a university after his death. During the same time period Asbury College, located in Greencastle, Indiana
Greencastle, Indiana
Greencastle is a city in Greencastle Township, Putnam County, Indiana, United States, and the county seat of Putnam County. It was founded in 1821 by Scots-Irish American Ephraim Dukes on a land grant. He named the settlement for his hometown of Greencastle, Pennsylvania...
, was in need of funds and decided to approach DePauw about donating to the college. The school and DePauw came to an agreement which resulted in changing the name of Asbury College to DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
.
DePauw was married three times. His first marriage – to Sarah Ellen Fletcher – produced one daughter, Sarah Ellen. He next married Katharine Newland, also of Salem, Indiana, on November 28, 1855. Katharine and Washington had three children: Charles Washington, William, and Newland Talbot. After Kate's death he married Frances Leyden. DePauw died on May 5, 1887, in Chicago, Illinois. John Baptiste Ford
John Baptiste Ford
Captain John Baptiste Ford was an American industrialist and founder of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, now known as PPG Industries, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
was W.C. De Pauw's first cousin and one time business partner.