Pg 573
I. F. GIPPLE, whose home has been in Louisa County for thirty-six years, resides on section 21, Grand View Township. He was born in 1840 in Pennsylvania, and was the eighth in a family of ten children born to George and Mary A. (Stroh) Gipple, whose birthplace was also in the State of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1852 emigrated to Louisa County, locating on section 29, Grand View Township, where he purchased a farm of 120 acres, part of which was fenced and contained a log cabin. Into this cabin the family moved, living in the true pioneer style of those days. Mr. Gipple immediately began the cultivation of the land, but the following May he was called from his new home to his final rest. His wife is still living, and finds a happy home with our subject.
Reared upon a farm, our subject received such education as the district schools of the country afforded, attending both in Pennsylvania and in Iowa, though mostly in the latter State. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in September, 1861, at Grand View, for a three years-service, becoming a member of Company K, 8th Iowa Infantry. He was mustered into State service at Wapello, and into United States service at Davenport, whence with his regiment he was sent to the front, and participated in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, and the battle of Spanish Fort. He received a slight wound at Shiloh and was taken prisoner, being confined at Tuscaloosa, Ala., for about two months, and kept on parol. He was then exchanged, and in April, 1866, after four years of hardships endured on the Southern battle-field, he was discharged from further service at Selma, Ala., and then returned to Iowa.
In Louisa County Mr. Gipple wedded Evaline Vandevort, a daughter of J. Madison and Sarah Ellen (Donahue) Vandevort, who were natives of Virginia, and who came to Iowa in 1844, settling in the village of Grand View, which they were among its earliest pioneers. Mr. Vandevort worked at different occupations for many years, and he and his wife still make their home in the village.
After his marriage Mr. Gipple settled upon the farm where he now resides, it being known as the Gipple estate. Politically, he is a Republican, while socially, he is a member of the Isaiah Dodder Post No. 446, at Grand View. He and his wife also belong to the Evangelical Church at that place, in which he holds the position of exhorter, Trustee and Steward. He takes an active part in the Sunday-school work, being Superintendent of quite a large school, which is doing good work under his leadership.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gipple have been born four children: Arthur L. died July 3, 1874, at the age of nine months; Everet L. is at home; Marcellus E., died in 1881, at the age of two years; and Herbert L., who is also at home. Mr. Gipple’s farm being situated only about half a mile from Grand View and in the school district, his children have the advantages of the graded schools. He is one of the highly respected men of the township.