William W. Vail, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of William W. Vail
WILLIAM W. VAIL - The Vail family were originally of New Jersey and were among the very early settlers in the northern part of Indiana. The first of the Vails to come to this vicinity was Isaac Vail who was born in Rahway, New Jersey, and came in 1836 to Terre Coupe Prairie and settled on a farm. His son, Edward Vail, who is the grandfather of our immediate subject, was one of the pioneer merchants of Laporte and for many years conducted a jewelry store in that city. Walter Vail, father of our subject, organized the First National Bank of Michigan City in 1873. He was born in Laporte County, attended Earlham and Indiana Universities, and served as a Union soldier during the Civil War. He was united in marriage with Georgian Truesdell who was descended from Harvey Truesdell, a native of Otsego County, New York and one of the pioneers of this section of this state - having arrived in Michigan City in 1836 and here founded one of the first general stores and also operated a stage line between Laporte and Michigan City. Isaac Vail's mother was Katherine Fitzrandolph before marriage, and that branch of the family were conspicuous in the early annals of New Jersey. William W. Vail was born on October 7, 1875, in Michigan City, the son of Walter and Georgian (Truesdell) Vail; he was one of five children born to his parents, two of whom grew to maturity, the other being George T., who is a well known banker of Michigan City. William Vail attended the local school and Rensselaer Polytechnic. On the completion of his education he engaged in the manufacturing business and subsequently entered the First National Bank as cashier. In 1916 he was selected as president of that institution. Mr. Vail was united in marriage with Lenore Negus, and to this marriage was born four sons: Robert L., Walter W., Edward N., and John H. He is a member of the Elks, Country Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and is treasurer of the Public Library.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 248-249
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook