W. T. Brockman—Landay Brockman, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Virginia, and grew to manhood in Kentucky, having been taken to the latter state when but four years old. He married in Kentucky, Martha Shipp, and later moved to Shelby County, Ind., settling in the woods, and for some years lived the rugged life of the pioneer. He was one of the early settlers of Shelby, and at the time of his arrival his nearest neighbors were the Indians, with whom he appears to have been upon terms of the greatest friendship. He made a valuable farm, and became a leading citizen of the community in which he resided. Mrs. Brockman died at the age of sixty-four; she was the mother of twelve children, seven of whom are now living. Until within a year of his death, Mr. Brockman lived on his home place, consisting of 320 acres of land, but later moved to Edinburg, and died in that town at the advanced age of seventy-two. He was an active member of the Methodist Protestant Church, a great temperance worker, and in early life supported the principles of the whig party. W. T. Brockman was born and reared in Shelby County, and early chose the farmer’s vocation for his life work. His educational training was confined to a few months’ attendance each year in the common schools, but by observation he has since become the possessor of a fund of valuable practical knowledge. December 22, 1852, he married Martha, daughter of William and Phoebe (Coons) Lewis, of Shelby County, the parents natives of Virginia. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Brockman purchased his present farm in Johnson County, which lies in sight of the old home place, where the years of his youth and early manhood were passed. He now owns one of the most valuable and attractive farms in Blue River Township, and is justly considered one of the leading citizens of the community in which he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Brockman are the parents of six children, four living, viz.: Sarah C., Mary J., Landay and Clara E. The deceased children are: Ella O. and Maggie. Mr. Brockman is a republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church.