Tripp, Edwin F. 1852-1923 & son, George 1883-1976

TRIPP, RUSH, TOMPKINS, GRIFFITH

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/30/2021 at 09:13:58

Tripp, Edwin F.1852-1923 Family and son, George 1883-1976

This story was taken from the ‘Rock Valley Records & Recollections’ book written about 1976 in honor of the two hundredth birthday of our nation. Story was found on page 39 and 40. It was a revision of the history written by Lottie Thomas in 1955. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society and some research notes were added.

George Tripp came to the Rock Valley community at the age of two. With the exception of one year which he spent in eastern South Dakota, he has continued to live in this area.

George’s father, Edwin F. Tripp, came to Rock Valley in 1897, the year that the railroad came through the area and the town of Rock Valley was platted. Edwin came by train from his home in New York to LeMars, and there he caught a stagecoach in the Bellesfield stage stop, just a short distance south of Rock Valley.

A few years later, Edwin Tripp returned to New York and was married there. George was born to the Tripps while they were in New York in the year 1884.

Edwin returned to the Rock Valley area with his family in 1886, and settled on the farm where the John Edwin Miller family now live. This farm had been homesteaded by a New Yorker by the name of Wallace and was later sold to the Miller brothers. The Tripp family farmed here for a number of years.

George witnessed much of Rock Valley’s history. His first recollections were of the pioneers breaking the prairie with horse drawn plows. The lays of the plow were soft, and at the end of the furrow they would have to be pounded back into shape and sharpened with a file. George recalled that in 1902 the land was lush with quail and rabbits. The call of the prairie chicken could be heard. His father devised a way to trap the prairie chicken for food.

George worked as a rural Rock Valley mail carrier from 1917 to 1944, when he retired.

George’s sister, Bessie, was also a long-time resident of Rock Valley. Her husband, Charles Jacobs, was for many years a railroad engineer in this area.

(Above - Taken from April 16, 1975 Rock Valley Bee)

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
From a family report on Ancestry.com done by others,
Edwin F. Tripp was born 23 Sep 1852 Palmyra, Wayne Co. New York died 7 May 1923 at Rock Valley IA, He was the son of William Tripp 1810 – 1858 and Elizabeth Tompkins Tripp 1812-1876. He was married 14 Dec 1881 Farmington, Ontario, New York to Jessie Rush she was born 18 Apr 1853 New York and died 2 Jun 1927 Rock Valley IA. Her parents were Darius M. Rush 1817-1899 and Eliza Griffith 1824-1894.

Obits added by Beth De Leeuw
OBITUARY OF EDWIN F. TRIPP.
From the Rock Valley Bee, May 11, 1923:
E. F. TRIPP DIED SUDDENLY MONDAY AFTERNOON
E. F. Tripp, a resident of Rock Valley for the past twelve years, and of this vicinity since 1886, died suddenly at his home here Monday afternoon at about seven o'clock, aged seventy years, seven months and fourteen days.
Mr. Tripp suffered a light stroke of paralysis Friday. He was apparently recovering from this and seemed out of immediate danger. He was feeling better Monday. That evening while eating his supper, he suddenly passed away without a moment's warning.
Although Mr. Tripp had not been real well for a year or more, he was up and around, and worked in his garden, and came down town frequently, and perhaps appeared to be in better health than he really was. His sudden death is a great shock to his family and friends.
Mr. Tripp was a man who was kind and generous to his family; he was a good neighbor and friend and was well thought of by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed among his neighbors and friends.
The subject of this sketch was born at Palmyra, N.Y., Sept. 23, 1852, where he received his early training and grew to manhood. He was married Dec. 14, 1881, to Jessie M. Rush at Farmington, N.Y. The family came to Iowa in March, 1886, coming directly to Sioux County where they have since resided, part of the time on farms near Rock Valley, and for the past twelve years they have lived in town.
He leaves his wife and three children, George and Bessie at home, and Will, of Porter, Minn. All were present at the funeral services.
Funeral services were held at the home Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. F. Shuldt, of Hull, and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery for burial. A large number of friends were present and many beautiful floral offerings were in evidence as tokens of respect for the departed, as well as for those who survive him.

OBITUARY OF JESSIE – MRS. EDWIN TRIPP
From the Rock Valley Bee, June 12, 1927:
DEATH OF MRS. TRIPP
Mrs. Jessie M. Tripp, a resident of Rock Valley and vicinity for many years, died at her home here last Thursday afternoon [June 2] after a lingering illness.
The subject of this sketch was born in New York State, April 18, 1853, and had attained the age of seventy-four years, one month and fifteen days. December 14, 1881, she was united in marriage to Edwin F. Tripp, who died May 7, 1923. To this union three children were born, George E. Tripp, of Rock Valley, William D. Tripp, of Porter, Minn., and Mrs. Bessie Jacobs of Rock Valley, all of whom were present at the funeral services.
Mrs. Tripp with her family moved from Palmira, N.Y., in 1886 to Sioux County where she spent the remainder of her life. Mrs. Tripp was a sincere Christian woman, and devoted to her family and home life and her presence in the home is greatly missed.
Funeral services were held at the home Saturday afternoon and were largely attended by a number of friends, and there were many very beautiful flowers. The remains were taken to the Valley View Cemetery.
* * * * * * * * * *
From the Alton Democrat, June 10, 1927, Rock Valley news:
Mrs. Jessie Tripp passed away at her home in Rock Valley, Thursday June 2nd, 1927. Miss Jessie Rush nee Tripp [i.e., Jessie Tripp, nee Rush] was born at Manchester, N.Y., April 18, 1853, where she continued to reside until womanhood. She was united in marriage to Edward[sic] Tripp in December, 1881 at Manchester, NY., where they continued to reside until the spring of 1886 when they moved onto a farm southwest of Rock Valley, later moving to a farm northeast of this town where they resided till they moved into their beautiful town residence in Rock Valley. Three children were born to this union, two sons and one daughter as follows: William Tripp of Canby, Minn., George of Rock Valley and Mrs. Chas. B. Jacobs of Rock Valley.
Mrs. Tripp fell and broke one of her legs several years ago and shortly after the passing of her husband, Edward[sic] Tripp occurred on May 8, 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp passed through the adventures and privations incident to pioneer life. Mrs. Tripp was a devoted Christian and an ardent member of the Methodist church. All of the children were home to pay their last tribute to their fond, departed mother.
Funeral services were held Saturday at 2:30 at the home, conducted by Rev. L. F. Focht of the Methodist church. Interment was made in the family burial lot in Valley View cemetery. Many beautiful floral tributes decked the last resting place of this beloved neighbor and friend.

OBITUARY OF GEORGE TRIPP
Rock Valley - George Tripp, 92, Rock Valley, died March 24 at a Rock Valley hospital.
Services were held at 1 P.M., March 27 in the Porter Funeral Home. The Rev. David Waterman, pastor of Pioneer United Methodist Church officiated. Burial was in Valley View Cemetery.
Mr. Tripp was born August 25, 1883, in Canadaiqua, N.Y. He came to Iowa at age 5.
He was employed with the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier from 1917 to 1943.
Survivors include three nephews and two nieces.
Source: Sioux Center News, March 31, 1976

No picture of this family was found in the local archives, if anyone has a picture please scan it and send it to our page coordinator.