Whipple, Rufus H. ca1851/2 - 1902

WHIPPLE, ELLIS, OLMSTEAD

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/3/2014 at 00:04:19

Death of Rufus Whipple - Passes Away in Los Angeles

Rufus Harland Whipple, a well known and highly respected attorney of Ogden, died Saturday noon at Los Angeles, Cal., where he has been living for the benefit of his health, for the past few months, with is wife, Mrs. Jennie Whipple. The sad news of his demise was received in Ogden late Saturday afternoon through a telegram sent by his son Fred Whipple of this city, who was at his father's bedside when the sad end came.

The news brought sadness to the hearts of the deceased's many friends in Ogden. Mr. Whipple had resided in Ogden about 12 years, coming here from Iowa. He was an able attorney and figured prominently for a number of years in public life in our city.

Mr. Whipple left Ogden a few months ago, accompanied by his wife, with the intention of making California his home. Shortly after his arrival he was attacked with acute Bright's disease, which soon diminished his strength until the end came.

His remains will be brought to Ogden for interment. The family left Los Angeles for Ogden with the body last evening, and will arrive here Tuesday morning. Arrangements for the funeral will be made by the A.O.C.W. of which order he was a member.

Rufus H. Whipple was born at Akron, O., May 24, 1852. He came to Utah in 1899. During Mayor Brough's administration he was city attorney. He was appointed United States commissioner of the Second district at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, by President McKinley, in 1900, which position he held for about a year. He has been a man of firm character and desirous of doing good to his fellow man.

~Deseret Evening News, Great Salt Lake City, Utah, Monday, August 25, 1902, Ogden News section, page 7

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Judge R.H. Whipple
Los Angeles, Aug. 23 - Judge R.H. Whipple, prominent in the Alaskan Government service and for many years a leading figure in the politics of the States of the Middle West, died at the Pacific Hospital in this city to-day. Judge Whipple came to Los Angeles from his home in Ogden, Utah, about four months ago. With him at the last were his second wife and one son, F.M. Whipple of the Salt Lake Tribune. Four other children are living.

~San Francisco Call, August 24, 1902, pg 18

~Notes: The obits do not make mention of his first wife (Harriet M. Ellis), nor of his Civil War service. Refer to the Franklin co. IAGenWeb site for his biography in the 1883 Franklin co. History, and in the military records section for his Civil War record. His second wife was Jennie Elizabeth Olmstead. Finally, records give his DOB anywhere from 1849 (1883 bio) to 1852 (obit), and census records are not consistent regarding his age. The contributor does not know which date is correct.