Crippen, Charles M. (1847-1918)

CRIPPEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 16:24:36

Charles Michael Crippen
Apr 1, 1847 - July 7, 1918

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.379)
C.M. CRIPPEN, a merchant of Neola, was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, April 1, 1847, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (FOOTE) CRIPPEN, of English origin on the mothers side. Their ancestry, which was of agricultural class, can be traced back to the landing of the Mayflower. Michael Crippen had one child by his first wife, Andrew, who resided in Massachusetts, and he also had one by his second wife, namely, the subject of this sketch. Two months before his birth his father died; afterward an uncle resided with the family, and when C.M. was only a year and a half old his mother also died, and he was brought up by the uncle.
At the age of eighteen years he graduated at Bacon Academy at Colchester, Connecticut. Then he clerked in a general merchandise store until his was twenty-three years of age. In 1879 he came West with his uncle, locating upon a farm of 240 acres of wild prairie, which he had bought in Norwalk Township, this county. Here, owning half interest, he erected a frame house and began improvements of all kinds, remaining upon it for nine years, and raising grain principally and some livestock. Then they disposed of the farm, moved into Neola, erected a store building 20 x 50 feet, and filled it with a stock of clothing, boots and shoes. In 1880 Mr. CRIPPEN began business for himself. He now possesses a nice home, which he has earned by industry and economy, and a fine reputation, which he has won by promptness and honesty. He is a steadfast Democrat in his vote on national questions. He was the first Recorder of Neola after the town was incorporated; since then he has been Treasurer of the town. He is a member of lodge No 410, I.O.O.F., at Neola, lately elected Treasurer of the same; is also a member of Crystal Lodge, NO. 228, K. of P. of Neola, of which he was a charter member.
In society he is a live man, as well as in business. His children are: Bessie May, born July 10, 1881, and Carlton F., in April, 1883. April 22, 1880,during the year he began business for himself, he married Miss Mary A. BRECKENRIDGE, whose parents were natives of Illinois and of English ancestry. Her mother died and her father lives in Nebraska. In that family were four children: Lenora, wife of John GARRETT in Nebraska; Mary A., the second born, and Frank and Preston, both in Nebraska.