Civil War: William B. Tuell

Wabash Valley profiles: A series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history

Description:	One typed page including photograph; biography of William Tuell, Terre Haute businessman and builder of the AP&S Clinic. WABASH VALLEY P R O F I L E SA series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history.William B. TuellThe son of a carpenter, William B. Tuell made a substantial mark on Vigo County in real estate, building as his own home one of the best-known mansions in the city -- the first location of AP&S Clinic. Tuell was born in Brownstown on Aug. 18, 1826, to Rezin and Lucinda Tuell. In 1844, according to family tradition, Will packed up his belongings in a satchel at age 18 and began walking from Brownstown to Lafayette. En route, he was given a ride on horseback to Terre Haute, where he decided to stay. He began work as a clerk in a general store owned by Ezra Smith and James Button. Six years later, working at a general store owned by George Langworthy, he acquired Langworthys business on the east side of Court House Square. In 1861, he united with brother-in-law George F. Ripley to open a new dry goods store on the southeast corner of Third and Wabash. By the time Arthur Deming became a partner in Tuell, Ripley & Deming in 1867, it had been relocated to Fifth and Wabash. During the Civil War, Tuell and his wife, the former Marian C. Topping, built a magnificent home at 221 S. Sixth St. at a cost of $80,000. It has often been called the McKeen home because it was owned and occupied for many years by William Riley McKeen. It later became the site of the first AP&S Clinic. Tuell was a prolific investor in area real estate, establishing several residential subdivisions with his wifes brother, Col. Melville Topping, and with attorney John Palmer Usher, later Secretary of Interior under Abraham Lincoln. After Col. Topping was killed at the battle of Richmond in 1862, Will joined with Gerhardt Esham and Samuel McKeen to manage Toppings substantial lumber business for nearly 10 years. Immediately after the Civil War, Will was active in the organization of local amateur baseball and is recognized by some as the first local pitcher to master a curve ball. In 1874 the Tuells sold their elegant residence to Robert G. Hervey and moved to the Terre Haute House. In 1875 Tuell and Ripley purchased the hotel from William Hawkins. When Ripley retired in 1878, Tuell became the sole owner of the Terre Haute House until his death. Meanwhile in 1877, Tuell, W.R. McKeen and Josephus Collett bought the Terre Haute & Cincinnati from a receivership, changing its name to the Terre Haute & Southeastern Railroad. Tuell served as president. Two years later, he procured the interest of both McKeen and Collett and extended the railroad line to Worthington. For a brief time commencing in 1877, he was a partner in McKeen & Co. Bank, a predecessor of Terre Haute First National Bank. Tuell died on Dec. 2, 1883, at age 57 and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. Besides his wife, he was survived by his mother, who died Aug. 3, 1896; two sisters, Elizabeth Wilkinson and Eva Ripley; and three children, William M., Margaret and Mamie (Smith).Photo courtesy of the Vigo County Public Library.TERRE HAUTE(812) 238-6000NATIONAL BANKAlways Close to HomeDate published: Nov. 23, 2000Filename: Tuell, William profile
Origin:	2000-11-22
Created By:	McCormick, Mike
Contributor(s):	Photo courtesy of the Vigo County Public Library
Publisher:	Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/vchs/id/592
Collection:	Vigo County Historical Society
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Tuell, William B., 1826-1883 Business people Real estate business Real estate development Wars & Conflicts Civil War -- Document People Business & Industry

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