WILLIAM H SLIPPER, b Sep 1845

SLIPPER, GOULDER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 12/25/2004 at 21:00:16

This well-to-do citizen of Farmers' Creek Township owns one of the finest homesteads within its borders, and, more's the pity, is enjoying it all by himself; still maintaining his state of single-blessedness. He is one of the most popular men of his neighborhood, straightforward in his business transactions, genial and companionable, and possessing more than ordinary abilities. His land has been brought to a thorough state of cultivation, and he has a large and convenient dwelling, together with a commodious barn and the other necessary outbuildings. His landed possessions embrace 636 acres, and he devotes his attention chiefly to livestock, buying and feeding annually about ten carloads.

Our subject was born in Norfolk, England, in September, 1845, and is the son of John H. and Elizabeth E. (Goulder) Slipper, who were natives of the same place as their son, and of pure English ancestry. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Slipper, as likewise did the parents of our subject, spent his entire life upon his native soil. Father and son were engaged in farming. William H., of this sketch, when about fifteen years of age, set out for America on board the sailing-vessel "Lotta," reaching San Franciso in 1859. He, however, did not remain on terra firma, but followed the sea with a trading-ship a little over five years. In 1864, he found his way to this county to the home of his brother, John A., who had located on the Maquoketa River in Farmers' Creek Township.

The two brothers now associated themselves in partnership at farming and saw-milling; the latter owning a mill. They conducted this until all the timber on the farm was worked up into lumber, and in 1882, William H. removed to a part of the land which he now owns and occupies, and which lies adjacent to the original farm, upon which stood the old mill. It is hardly necessary to say that he was prospered in his labors thereafter, and is now the owner of a fine property.

The parents of our subject were devout members of the Episcopal Church, in which faith William H. was carefully trained, and to which he still adhers. The home household included thirteen children, of whom but six are living. William H. and his brother John were the only members of the family who came to America, and the latter died in 1873. Our subject then purchased the property of his brother from the heirs, and aside from its moneyed value it is dear to him because of its associations. Politically, Mr. Slipper supports the principles of the Democratic party, although he has but little time to give to public affairs; his extensive farming interests being about all he can well attend to.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)