John W. Hipple 1861-1920

HIPPLE, GLEASON, CONRY, PHILLIPS, THURSTON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/29/2011 at 23:12:13

J. W. Hipple Dead
J. W. Hipple was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1861, and died at the home of his son, H. G. Hipple, in Estherville, Iowa, on March 12, 1920. Age 58 years, 7 months and 12 days.

Mr. Hipple grew to young manhood in his native community and at the age of nineteen years came to Iowa and settled at Sioux Rapids where he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Gleason on March 16, 1884. To this union were born seven children – five sons and two daughters – all of whom survive the parents, Mrs. Mary Hipple having died November 16, 1916, in Oxford, Pennsylvania.

For several years after his marriage Mr. Hipple continued to make his home in Sioux Rapids but about twenty-three years ago he moved to Estherville and here made his home for seventeen years after which together with his wife and younger children he moved back to his native state and made his home in Oxford, Pennsylvania for five years. During their sojourn in Pennsylvania Mrs. Hipple died and her body was brought back to Estherville and buried in Oak Hill cemetery and then Mr. Hipple also found it in his heart to return and make this his home once more, so for the last fourteen months he has lived with his son Harvey in Estherville.

While a mere lad in the old home Mr. Hipple joined the Methodist church and throughout his entire life thereafter was a faithful worker and a great spiritual force in the church. During almost his entire Christian life he was a Sunday School teacher, for many years a Class and much of the time a regularly authorized Exhorter in the church. He was recognized as one of the finest spiritual forces in the church where he was held in highest esteem and affection by all ages and departments.

About four weeks ago he was taken sick with grippe or cold which was followed by an attack of quinsy and this in turn by a severe case of erysipelas and finally a touch of pneumonia all of which so weakened his usual robust and healthy body that he could no longer keep up the fight for his life and the end came Friday afternoon about 2:30 o’clock while he was surrounded by all of his children and their families, also a sister, Mrs. Maggie Thurston, who had arrived from her home in Sioux Falls, S.D. During his sickness his sufferings were great but his faith was unwavering and his patience seemingly unbounded. He prayed much and read his Bible as much as his strength would permit. Often shouts of praise were on his lips and at one time he declared that heaven had opened to his vision and that the beauties were beyond the power of words to describe. In the language of Mr. Wesley he said to his pastor, “The best of all is, God is with us, Glory! Glory! Glory be to God on High!” He mentioned some of those who should sing at his funeral service and told his pastor what text of scripture he wished used for the sermon. Indeed a good man has fallen and the church and Sunday School have sustained a very great loss.

From the very first everything possible was done to give him relief, the tenderest care being bestowed upon him by his sons and their wives who live in Estherville and several days before the end came the other children had arrived as also the sister from Sioux Falls. His five sons, H. G. and J. L. of Estherville, W.H. of Iowa falls, E. H. of Shelbyville, Ind.; and Floyd of Davenport; and two daughters, Mrs. Cleve Phillips of Oxford, Penn., and Mrs. Fred Conry of Davenport, together with nine grandchildren, and four brothers and four sisters, all survive him.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the Methodist Episcopal church. The pall bearers were Fred Robinson, Wm. Ralston, Charles Dayton, Albert Mahlum, Roy Burt and J. H. McKay. Music was furnished by Mrs. Gaard, Mrs. Albert Mahlum, Miss Moe, Mr. Wilder and Mr. Myhre. Rev. J. W. LaGrone, pastor of the church, spoke briefly from the text selected by Mr. Hipple, Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heights, nor depths, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He spoke of the sterling worth of the deceased, of his fine spiritual values in the church and of his great interest in many of the men of the community.

The large attendance at the funeral services together with the many beautiful floral designs brought by friends bespoke the high esteem in which he was held by the many who knew him and had felt the influence of his kindly spirit. The body was laid beside that of his wife in the family lot in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, March 17, 1920)