Washington C. DePauw

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Washington Charles DePauw (1822–1887) was an American businessman. DePauw University is named in his honor.

Washington C. DePauw from Who-When-What Book, 1900

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^[1].

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.