Shipman, G. A.

SHIPMAN, ELBRIGHT, SABIN, HARWOOD, EMERSON

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 15:38:48

SHIPMAN, G.A.

G.A. Shipman, a noted resident of Rock Rapids, was born July 22, 1846, in Franklin county, New York, where his early life was passed in farm work and in attendance upon the local schools.

He enlisted as a member of Company H, Thirteenth New York Heavy Artillery, and was later transferred to the sixth New York Heavy Artillery, Company H. From Malone, the scene of his enlistment, he went to Elmira, where he remained a short time engaged in drilling. At Fort Schuyler, New York, he spent some two months. His command was then ordered to Norfolk, Virginia, making the journey on a government transport. There arms were drawn for the regiment, and it remained in camp during the first summer out, principally engaged in guard duty. Mr. Shipman, who was not seventeen years old at the time of his enlistment, January 4, 1863, very speedily mastered his military duties, and when the regiment moved out into the field, and engaged in active service, was in every way competent to acquit himself creditably. On board transports they moved down the Elizabeth river, and up the James, where they disembarked, and marched to the Wilderness tavern, where they were assigned to the Second Division of the Second Army Corps, under General Hancock, May 4, 1864. The regiment fought in the great battle of Spottsylvania, May 7 to 9, and from there to North Ann, May 21 to 23. There Mr. Shipman, with seven others was engaged in working a gun, when six of the eight were almost instantly killed. The gun, which was hit by twenty-seven rifle balls, was spiked before it was abandoned. When he reached the Union lines General Terry asked after the gun, but only said when told that it was left behind, "Never mind, we'll have it back before night." And sure enough, it was recaptured before the fall of that night. At Cold Harbor, the regiment was strongly intrenched, and did much hard fighting. This was June 2nd, and from there it crossed the James below "Dutch Gap," where it was detached from the Second Army Corps, and stationed at Bermuda, where it remained during the war, guarding a line of breastworks. At one time it was cut off from its supplies, and for three days its men lived on four hard tack a day. On the night of January 23, 1865, five rebel gunboats dropped down and cut the heavy chain, which had been thrown across the river, and continued on their way down. One of the boats, which had run aground was regarded as dangerous, and volunteers were called upon to take a piece of artillery, and blow her out of the water. Mr. Shipman and seven others volunteered for this dangerous duty, and when they reached the boat, found her in such a position that she could not fire a shot. The assailants bombarded her until her engines were destroyed, and she was put out of service for the rest of the war, though she was towed off the following night by the enemy. On January 24, 1865, while the rebels were shelling the works, a shell dropped into the Union lines. Mr. Shipman, at great risk, picked up the shell and threw it back to the enemy where it harmlessly exploded.

After the fall of Richmond Mr. Shipman and a few others made a trip to that city, confiscating on the way an aged mule, harness and carriage. They spent the day sight-seeing in that city and then made their way to Petersburg, exchanging the mule for a horse on their way. From Petersburg they returned to camp, capturing on the way six geese on which they banqueted in camp. Mr. Shipman was discharged September 4, 1865, being the only one of eight cousins who enlisted with him to return unharmed. Six were killed and one seriously wounded.

Mr. Shipman returned to the old farm in Franklin county, New York, but only remained there until the following spring when he went to Stark county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming for a year. In the spring of 1867 he located in Jones county, Iowa. There he remained near Monticello until the month of May, 1872, when he made his first appearance in Lyon county, Iowa, driving in from Iowa with a covered wagon, and taking up a homestead in Dale township, being the northwest quarter of section 8. His entry papers were filed in the land office at Sioux City, and his first home was a log house, which he built from material cut on Rock river. The siding and shingles he hauled from LeMars. Here he remained until 1878, when he rented the farm, and began railroading. Mr. Shipman bought an extra team of horses to engage in grading, and after two weeks' work returned with them to spend Sunday, when in the night the barn took fire and they were destroyed with all his seed grain and some cattle. He continued on the work of grading for some months, and then coming to Rock Rapids in the fall of 1879, engaged in the draying business being the first to start that line in the city. That same year he established a livery stable in company with Daniuel Shannon, with whom he continued some two years, and for eleven years was a grain dealer working for W.W. Gardner. For a time he was engaged in selling agricultural implements, and then went on the road as a salesman for the Milwaukee Harvester Company. In August, 1902, he engaged as a grain buyer for Hubbard & Palmer, and is still in their employ.

Mr. Shipman is prominent in Masonic circles, and is affiliated with Border Lodge, No. 406. He is also a member of the Rock Rapids camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Congregational church, and his honorable character and upright life give no discredit to his religious professions. He maintains a comfortable home, and is regarded as one of the good citizens of the community.

Mr. Shipman was married January 1, 1874, to Miss Anna B., daughter of Andrew and Tabitha Elbright, and to their union have come the following children: Elvin, Neva, Will and Clint. The sons are engaged in the building of cement sidewalks, being experts in that line, also connected with the Rock Rapids laundry. Elvin is the manager at Rock Rapids.

William Shipman, the father of G.A., was born in Franklin county, New York, in 1818, where he remained until the spring of 1867, when he moved to Jones county, Iowa, and five years later to Lyon county, where he secured a homestead in Wheeler Township. In 1880 he removed to Rock Valley, where he built a hotel, the first in the place, where he lived until his death, July 5, 1888. Hannah Sabin, his wife, and the mother of the subject of this writing was born in Malone, New York, in 1821, and there she died in 1854. In 1856 William Shipman married for his second wife, Susan Harwood, who was born in Bangor, New York, in 1836, where she lived until her marriage. She proved a kind and devoted mother to the bereaved family, and the most tender memories of her survive.

To William and Hannah (Sabin) Shipman were born the following children: Clinton, who was killed at the battle of Winchester, October 19, 1864, was a member of the First New York Light Artillery; Cornelia, who died in May, 1870; Olive and Ella, both of whom passed away in infancy; and G.A.--whose name introduces this article. To the second marriage were born: Freddie, who died a babe; Howard, now engaged in farming in Rock Valley; Emma, whose home is in Parker, South Dakota; and Willie, who died a babe.

Abner Shipman, the grandfather of G.A., was born of English parentage, and served as an American soldier in the war of 1812. His wife, Mary Emerson, who was born in 1787, died in Fort Covington, New York, in 1864. William Sabin, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this writing, was born in New York, and was engaged in farming all his life near Malone, New York, where he died in 1864.

Anna B. Elbright, who became the wife of G.A. Shipman, was born January 5, 1847, in Adams county, Ohio, and came to Lyon County, Iowa, in company with the family of John Thompson. She was married January 1, 1874.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson