The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1908-12-21
DEATH Of F. W. ROCKWELL.
Prominent Cticagoan Who Was In
terested near Brownsville.

terested near Brownsville
Fletcher ". Rockwell. who was
we'll known here as one of the build
ers of the Brownsville canal, the
first large irrigation canal con
structed in this Valley, died at his
home in Chicago an Saturday. Dec.
u, after an illness of two weeks with
an acute attack of lagrippe. Mr.
Rockwell stood high both socially
and in the business world, being first
vice president of the National Land
| Company He had been a constant
reader of The Herald for years, keep
ing in touch through itwith this sec
ton.
He had great faith in the future of
this Valley and took an active and in
telligent interest in everything per-
tanning to is development 1t has not
been long since an excellent article
written by him, on the Importance of
drainage in connection with irriga-
ton here, was published in The Her
! aid Those who knew and had been
associated with him here esteemed
him highly and regret sincerely to
learn Oh MS QeaIl.a
The following taken from the
Paint, Oil and Drug Review of last
week pays high tribute to Mr.. Rock
wells memory:
The death of Fletcher w. Rock
well removes one o fthe oldest cor
roders of white lead in the country,
and one of the best known personali-
ties of that industry Commencing
at the bottom round of the ladder,
his ability, integrity and high mind
ed purpose placed him very near he
top as first vice. president of the Ma
tional Lead Company and manager of
OTIS Chicago branch.
Born on a farm in Western New
York in 1S43, Mr. RockweIl's first oe-
cupation after leaving home was as
teacher in the public schools. He was
a sOldier-for the Union cause in the
Civil War, and at the close of the war
he located in st. Louis, Mo- Entering
the service of the then newly organ
lied Southern White Lead Company.
he filled various positions. including
that of travelling salesman, secretary
and vice-president, and for over
twenty years was instrumental in the
upbuilding of their great business.
When that company was merged with
the National Lead Company. Mr.
Rockwell was made its secretary. He
removed TO New York, where he re-
manned until 1894, when he succeed
ed the Iate D. B. Shipman as mana
ger of the Chicago branch In this
capacity he has been a resident of
this city since that time.
Mr.. Rockwell possessed in a
marked degree those qualities that
drew men to him when they came to
know him. His ability as a manager
of large interests is evidenced by his
rise from humble beginnings to his
high position With a clear distinc
ton between what was right as he
saw it, enthusiastic in his work,
which he loved, with the capacity of
Installing that enthusiasm into others,
conscientious and just in all human
relationships, he was endeared not
only to his associates, but to all with
whom he came in contact.
In politics he was a republican
when the principles of that party
were an issue. In religion he was
lot only identified with, but gave gen
erOusIy of his time, his talents and
his means to the work of Christian
ity and at the time of his death he
was a trustee o fthe Hyde Park Pres
byterian Church Socially, he was a
delightful companion, a member of
the Union League, and a director of
the Midlothian Country Club.
Mr.. Rockwell's family consisted of
his wife. six sons and three daught-
ers. five of the children being mar
ried, and the youngest a senior at
Cornell University.
In his life he fulfilled every obliga-
ton of citizenship, and it was strik-
ing close that he was taken to his
last resting place by his six grown
up sons. Surely good man has left
US, but he has left with US the exam
pie of a noble. unselfish life.
The funeral at his late residence
was largely attended by men from
all walks of life. The remains we're
taken to St. Louis, Mo-, for inter
ment The factories and Office of the
company were closed for the day.
C. E. F.