WASHINGTON BROCKMAN is one of the leading business men of Mount Sterling, where he was born September 13, 1844. His father, James, was born in Kentucky, and was there reared and educated. He turned his attention to the study of medicine when young. He graduated from Lexington Medical College, and in 1836 or 1837 he came to Illinois, locating in Mount Sterling, where he began his practice. It was at this time that he had a very narrow escape from being drowned by being caught in the high water at Meredosia. His practice extended into Pike and Morgan counties, where he had to go on horseback. He continued practicing until 18__, (last digits aren't shown), when he was elected Circuit Clerk, which position he held until his death. His wife's name was Sophia Price, of Scott county, Kentucky, the daughter of one of the pioneers of Brown county. Dr. Brockman was a Democrat; served as school commissioner of Brown county; was a member of the Second State Constitutional Convention; was one of the charter members of Hardin Lodge, No. 44, A.F. and A.M., and was buried with Masonic honors.

Washington was an infant when his mother died, and but eight years when his father died. His step-mother was left in limited circumstances with four children to care for, and consequently at thirteen years of age he went to live with an uncle. He remained with him about a year, and then went to live with another uncle, who owned a flour mill. For several years he worked in the mill, in a blacksmith shop and on a farm, and was also in a drug store in Mount Sterling. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, and went to Missouri. His company was one of the four detached from the regiment and sent to join General Curtis after the Pea Ridge fight. They marched to Helena, Arkansas, and then participated in the capture of Vicksburg, after which he was granted a furlough of twenty days, which was extended to twenty days more, and then his health being poor he was assigned to duty in the drug department. He remained there by order of the physicians until the spring of 1864, when he was ordered to take charge of a company of the Veteran Reserve Corps. He was honorably discharged in December, 1864, as his term had expired, and he returned home and soon secured a position in the post office for thirty days, and then was clerk in the enrolling department of the Provost Marshal's office, remaining there until after the war, when the office was discontinued. He went to Macomb, Illinois, to secure a job, but not being successful he returned and bought a book and stationery store. In less than a year he sold, out, and was employed at various kinds of work for a few months, and then purchased one half interest in another book and stationery store; later he bought the interest of his partner and conducted the business alone. He carries a full line of books, stationery, wall paper, sporting goods and other goods of like nature. In 1886 he opened a buggy repository and farm implement business and conducted it successfully for six years, but in 1892, owing to poor health, he was obliged to sell that branch of the business.

He was married, in 1865, to Estella J. Leeped, of Mount Sterling, daughter of Johnson and Catherine (Dawson) Leeped. Mr. and Mrs. Brockman have four living children: George Leon, Clarence Eugene, Ernest Edgar and Percy Washington. Mr. Brockman organized the Isaac McNeil Post, of which he is a member, No. 289, G.A.R. He is also a member of Unity Lodge, No. 310, I.O.O.F. He is a charge member of the Mount Sterling Lodge, A.O.U.W.; and of the Crescent Lodge, I.O.M.A.; also a Fellow-craft member of Hardin Lodge No. 44, A.F. and A.M. He and his wife are greatly respected by their host of friends. He is one of the directors of the Mount Sterling Building and Loan Association, and is vice-president of the Mount Sterling Electric Light and Power company, which he helped to organize.

Politically he is a strong Republican, having cast his first ballot in 1864 for "honest Old Abe" Lincoln, and from this party he has never departed, believing that the principles of said party are just and true.