F. A. LePell, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of F. A. LePell
F. A. LEPELL & SON - F. A. LePell has in his own achievement earned professional success and affluence in his chosen profession as undertaker; however, he had traditions to live up to, as his great-grandfather had been what was known as a "province undertaker" of France, an official position designated by the government. The local firm of F. A. LePell & Son, which is directed by F. A. and Howard LePell, is a partnership and a pioneer concern of its kind in Valparaiso, having been operated continuously since 1852. The original business was established by Frederick LePell, grandfather of our immediate subject, and on his death it was directed by Alexander LePell, the son of Frederick and the father of our subject. When Alexander passed away in 1884, the direction of the business was assumed by F. A. LePell, and in 1925 the son, Howard, became associated in the business. The original location was on West Main Street, now known as Lincoln Way; it was later removed to East Main, then to 63 Indiana, subsequently to 357 South Franklin, and on September 1, 1926, the present beautiful and spacious quarters were taken over. It is one of the very modern and complete institutions of its kind in this part of the state, built along the latest ideas in buildings of this character; it has rest rooms, parlors, guest rooms, and a beautiful chapel. The modern equipment consists of the approved type of luxurious limousine, ambulance, and hearse. F. A. LePell is a graduate of the Clark School of Embalming of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1886 received his embalming license from the State of Indiana, being one of the very first to receive such a license from this state, License No. 56. His marriage was with Anna C., daughter of Conrad and Ida Brown of Valparaiso, on June 17, 1883; to them were born four children: Floyd, Frank, Ethel, the wife of Raymond Adams of Valparaiso; and Howard, who is associated with his father in business. Howard is a graduate of Worsham Training School of Chicago, in the class of 1924; his marriage was with Myrtle Monroe of Chicago. F. A. LePell is a member of the National Funeral Directors' Association, and also first vice president of the Indiana State Funeral Directors' Association, and president of the Fifth District Funeral Directors' Association. He is a charter member of the Valparaiso Elks, the K. of P., Moose, and the Chamber of Commerce. During the influenza epidemic of the war period he offered his services, which were accepted, and served at the Great Lakes Training Camp in his professional capacity.
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: 521-522
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