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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Lawrence and Monroe
Counties, Indiana;
their people, industries and institutions.
Publ. Indianapolis, Ind. - B. F. Bowen & Co.,
1914
F.
B. VANVALZAH. It is generally considered by
those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history
of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation, and
that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the
praises of the historian or the cheers and the appreciation
of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No
man is great in all things. Many by a lucky stroke
achieve lasting fame who before that had no reputation
beyond the limits of their immediate neighborhoods. It
is not a history of the lucky stroke which benefits humanity
most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky
stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the
method, that serves as a guide for the success of others.
Among those in Monroe county who have achieved success along
steady lines of action is the subject of this sketch.
F. B. VanValzah, one of the leading merchants
and enterprising citizens of Bloomington, Indiana, was born
in Pennsylvania on July 2, 1852, and is the son of John
A. and Sara B. (Barber) VanValzah, the former having
been a farmer and miller, and died in his old home in the
Keystone state. The subject of this sketch received
his education in the common schools near his home and in an
academy at Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Upon taking up the
active duties of life on his own account, he engaged as
clerk in a store for three years, and then on account of his
health he went to Colorado, where he engaged in the cattle
business. After remaining in the West about six and
one-half years, and i a measure recovering his health, he
went to Kansas, where in Sedgwick county he engaged in
farming for about six and one-half years, and in 1888 came
to Indiana, locating in Monroe county, where he
operated a farm for nine years with a gratifying degree of
success. At the end of that period he moved to
Bloomington, where he made his permanent residence, and for
a year was engaged as a traveling salesman for the Osborne
Harvester Company. He then accepted a clerkship in the
hardware store of W. J. Allen, with whom he remained
a clerk for six years, at the end of which time he brought
his employer's interest in the business and has been engaged
in the hardware trade for the last eight years, four years
of which time he had a partner, but is now alone.
Splendidly qualified in every respect for a business career,
Mr. VanValzah has been very successful in all that he
has undertaken and is numbered today among the leading
business men of his community. He is not narrow or
selfish in his aims in life, for he has due regard at all
times for the general interests of the community and his
duties as a citizen, and every movement having for its
object the advancement of the general welfare of the people
receives his hearty indorsement and support.
Politically, Mr. VanValzah is a stanch Progressive,
while his fraternal Knights of Pythias. Religiously,
he is a member and regular attendant of the Presbyterian
church.
In 1883 Mr. Vanvalzah married Emma J. Wolf
and to them have been born four children: Sarah, Bessie,
Samuel and Harold, all of whom are at home except
Harold. Mr. VanValzah's life work has
been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the
systematic and honorable methods he has ever followed have
resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with
whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a
good business. In every avenue of life's activities he
has been faithful to his duties and, because of his good
character and splendid success, eh has merited and retains
the respect and good will of all who know him.
Source: History of Lawrence and Monroe
Counties, Indiana;
Publ. Indianapolis, Ind. - B. F. Bowen & Co., 1914 - Page 549 |
| ARCHIBALD C. VORIS
Source: History of Lawrence and Monroe
Counties, Indiana;
Publ. Indianapolis, Ind. - B. F. Bowen & Co., 1914 - Page
512 |
| JOSEPH R. VORIS
Source: History of Lawrence and Monroe
Counties, Indiana;
Publ. Indianapolis, Ind. - B. F. Bowen & Co., 1914 - Page
476 |
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