Rippey, William F. – 1838-1917

ARMSWORTH, BLACKWOOD, BYAL, CUSTER, HANSON, JEFFRIES, LOWE, PARKER, RIPPEY, SMITH

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:27

Mr. Wm. Rippey was born in Indiana in April 1838 and passed away Friday evening, November 16, 1917 at his home in Ira.
He came to Iowa early in life and has continued to live near Ira most of the time.
He was a large land owner and one of the noblest and best of neighbors and friends.
He was a veteran of the Civil War and had served three years for his country. Two of his grandsons, Russell Rippey, son of Frank Rippey, and Harold Hanson, son of George Hanson, are following their grandparent’s example and are at present in the service of their country.
Mr. Rippey is survived by his second wife, Mrs. Eva Rippey, by one son and three daughters, 21 grandchildren and a few great grandchildren, also one sister. Three of the grandchildren, Faye, Ella and Gertrude Lowe were reared by the grandparents after the death of their mother.
Mr. Rippey had been a very patient sufferer. Had undergone three operations and his last illness was of several weeks’ duration. He was the youngest of five brothers and was the last to pass away. He is survived by his only sister, who lives in another state.
William F. Rippey was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Jeffries Rippey and was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, on April 9th, 1838; and passed away at the family home in Ira on Friday evening, November 16, 1917 at 6:20.
He was the eldest of five sons, all of whom have now passed to the Great Beyond. When the great Civil War came he enlisted in Company I of the 10th Iowa Infantry and served his country for three years, taking part in many of the important campaigns and battles of that great struggle. These who knew him as a comrade in arms all testify to the fact that he was a good soldier and especially faithful in the performance of the duties that devolved upon him in the service.
Mr. Rippey came to Iowa in March 1854 and located on 120 acres of land which he entered from the government.
Being than a very young man and finding it necessary to earn money with which to commence farming operations, he shortly afterward went to Greene County where he found employment and helped to haul the material used in the construction of the first court house built in that county. For about two years he remained in Greene county, having for his cum and companion during that time, his cousin, Matthew Custer, of Jefferson, Iowa, who is present today.
He then returned to Jasper county and except for the time spent in the army has lived here continually since.
On July 6th, 1859, he was united in marriage to Ann Armsworth and they came to Iowa and established their home on the farm where they moth spent their last days of life.
To them were born eight children, four of whom survive their father, Mrs. Susie Parker, Mrs. Edna Hanson, Mrs. Martha Byal, and Francis J. All of whom were able to be with their father much during his last illness and assist in caring for the dear one.
Of the other children, Freddie and Mary died in infancy; Fannie, the eldest daughter, passed away in 1886, leaving three motherless little daughters, Faye, Gertrude and Ella, who were taken into the grandfather’s home and tenderly reared and cared for. The youngest daughter, Jessie, passed to her reward in February 1908.
Mrs. Rippey passed to her reward June 23, 1908.
Besides the granddaughters who were reared in the home Mr. Rippey is survived by eighteen other grandchildren, and four great grand-children. Two of the grandsons, Harold Hanson and Russell Rippey, have followed the example of their grandfather and are now serving their county in the present war; Harold at Camp Cody, Deming, N.M., and Russell “somewhere in France.”
On November 17, 1910, Mr. Rippey was married to Eva Blackwood, of Newton, Iowa, who still survives him. He is also survived by his only sister, Mrs. Eva Smith, of Iola, Kan.
Many years ago Mr. Rippey united with the Methodist church and remained a faithful and devoted member until his death. During the closing days of his life, when aware that the end was not far distant, he often expressed a readiness and willingness to meet his God.
The funeral services were held from the Methodist church at Ira Sunday afternoon at two o’clock, conducted by Rev. Adams of Mingo. The Masonic burial services were conducted by O. N. Wagley, of Newton.
The pallbearers were Chas. McIntire, Wm. Baker, Edmund Hanson, Peter Lowry, Frank Tramel and Albert Holtz.
Music was in charge of a quintet composed of Mesdames Frank Tramel, Joe Schroyer, Floyd Mason and Messrs. Fred Hough and W. L. Price. They sang “Abide With me” and “Lead Kindly Light.” Mrs. Mason sang “face to Face” and Mr. Hough sang “Crossing the Bar.”
A large concourse of friends met to pay a tribute of respect to one whom many of them had known all their lives. Among whom were a number of relatives and friends from a distance. Burial was made in the family lot in the Union Chapel cemetery, west of Ira.
Source: The Colfax Clipper; November 22, 1917