GIPE, Adam

GIPE, GEAUQUE

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 2/5/2016 at 14:44:34

Adam Gipe, 96, whose death occurred at the home of his daughter in Strahan, August 7, 1940, where funeral services were held after which the body was laid to rest in the Malvern Cemetery, as related in a news story in this newspaper on Monday of last week, was one of Mills county’s most prominent, influential and interesting characters.
Mr. Gipe was born in Gaden-Baden, on the Rhine, Germany, December 15, 1943, and was 96 years sold at the time of his death. He came to the United States with his parents and three older brothers, an older sister having died in Germany. The family crossed the Atlantic in a sailboat, taking six weeks for the voyage.
Soon after reaching America, he suffered the loss of his mother, while living in the Seneca County, Ohio The father remarried and settled in Williams County, near Egerton, Ohio, where they cut timber, cleared land and built their home.
At the age of 18, he went to work near Galesburg, Illinois, where he spent nine years. In 1870, he came to Mills County and purchased 120 acres of prairie soil, making his home here for over 60 years. Since coming here he has always resided in White Cloud township.
The following March after coming west he married Mary R. Geauque, of Edgarton, Ohio, his schooldays sweetheart, and together they endured the privations of establishing a pioneer home. To add to their trials, they lost their two oldest children, Davey and Willie, six and three, just a week apart, who died of diphtheria.
Through hard work and thrift, Mr. ana Mrs. Gipe accumulated over 4,000 acres of Mills County land, which they enjoyed and passed on to their four surviving children. He took such pleasure in his home, his extensive farming interest and in raising pure bred livestock.
Mr. Gipe lived a most temperate life. He never smoked nor dark intoxicating liquors. He was so disgusted in early life with the conduct of those who lived intemperate lived, that he early chose the path of sobriety. He was a good father, a good neighbor, a good citizen, which whom desired, as in his case, is as high a tribute as can be paid to any man.
Glenwood Opinion Tribune, August 19, 1940, page 2