Paul Nuppnau, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Paul Nuppnau
PAUL NUPPNAU - Now serving as cashier of the Valparaiso State Bank, Paul Nuppnau, one of the outstanding figures in the financial life of this region, was born in Holstein, Germany, on May 1, 1859, the son of Paul and Ida (Claussen) Nuppnau, both of whom were natives of Holstein. The parents were proprietors of a country hotel and to their marriage were born eleven children, three of whom died in infancy. The others are: Henry, Margaret, Johanna, Ida, Paul, Charles, Fredericka and Mary. Of these, Henry, Margaret, Johanna and Paul came to America before the removal of the parents, the latter coming in 1883 and locating in Valparaiso.
The first work to claim the activities of Paul Nuppnau was as a laborer for the Nickel Plate Railroad, in which he continued for more than a year, and he then purchased the Franklin Hotel, which was located near the Pennsylvania tracks and operated this for sixteen years. Under his management it became a popular hostelry. In 1899 he became cashier of the State Bank of Valparaiso, a position which he held continuously for twenty-seven years. It is quite natural that during this time Mr. Nuppnau extended his acquaintance, and there are few persons who the Thrift Trust Company was organized as an adjunct to the bank, and Mr. Nuppnau was chosen as secretary and director. He has continued in this association since its organization. Other activities are as director of the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company, having served in that capacity for twenty years. He has at all times held the best interests of the city at heart, and consented to represent the Third Ward in the City Council during the term of Mayor Sisson. Here he was able inaugurate and support many worthy movements in the way of public improvement.
Mr. Nuppnau was married to Charlotte, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Matthews, of Wanatah, Indiana. To their marriage were born five children: Charles; William; Paul, Jr.; Laura, wife of Byron Smith; and Martha, the wife of Richard Southworth, who is associated with the Chicago Title and Trust Company.
Mr. Nuppnau takes an active part in the Chamber of Commerce, Valparaiso Country Club, German Lutheran Church, and the Masonic order. He also takes a pardonable pride in his grandchildren: Junior and Janet, children of Paul, Jr.; Marian, daughter of William; Charlotte and Byron, children of Byron Smith and wife; Richard and Marjorie, children of Richard Southworth and wife; and William, the son of Charles.
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: 221-222
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