Jennie Rippon

RIPPON

Posted By: Jean Wenke, volunteer
Date: 3/6/2009 at 15:14:01

Jennie, daughter of John and Sarah Turnbull Rippon, was born at Netherton near Rothbury, England, Sept. 23, 1854. When she was still quite young the family came to America, locating in Chicago. They moved to Keokuk in 1868, where Jennie attended school, later returned to Chicago to complete her education in the Catholic schools there.

Jennie's father was a machinist by trade. She had one brother, John Rippon, who was an engineer on the Keokuk and Des Moines railroad. In 1871 the Rippons family moved to a farm two and one-half miles southwest of Bonaparte, where they lived until after the death of her mother and brother. Jennie and her father moved to Bonaparte in 1899, having bought a residence near the school house. Mr. Rippon died in 1901, leaving her with no near relatives in this country.

Miss Rippon was a friendly woman, ever ready to give a helping hand in sickness or in trouble. She loved company, and her many friends enjoyed her quick wit and happy conversation. She did beautiful needlework, and kept her mind alert to all questions of national as well as local interest. She was a devout Catholic, taking great pleasure in the services of her church.

She has been an invalid since she fell in 1935, and broke her hip. During all the time since then until her death Friday night, April 9, 1943, she has been tenderly cared for by Mrs. Mary W. Campbell, and no doubt her life prolonged by those kindly ministrations.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 12, at St. Boniface church, Farmington, of which Miss Rippon was a member. Requiem Mass was celebrated by Father Duggen. Interment in Bonaparte cemetery.

From Dorothy Watson's scrapbook, Bonaparte, Iowa Library