LINCOLN U. GIPPLE.

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         A well known representative of the commercial interests in Letts is Lincoln U. Gipple, who for the past nineteen years has been conducting a drug store here. A native of Louisa county, his natal day was the 3d of March, 1866, and his parents were George W. and Mary (Brooks) Gipple, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and there they were married. They began their domestic life on a farm in their native state where they resided until 1852, when they came to Iowa. Upon their arrival in Louisa county, they rented a farm, which Mr. Gipple cultivated for several years, and then bought land in Grand View township. Later he sold this and bought a farm in Cedar township, Muscatine county, which he operated until his retirement in 1888, at which time he owned one hundred and twenty acres of finely . . .

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. . . improved land. When they left the farm Mr. and Mrs. Gipple located in Letts, where they continue to reside. They are the parents of eight children: Emma, the wife of Mark Sharp of Falls City, Nebraska; Annie, who married Lee Hudler, of South Dakota; Cynthia, the wife of A. H. Dollahide, of Audubon, Iowa; Charles W., who is living on the old homestead; Edward B., residing in the vicinity of Winfield, Iowa; H. W., who lives in Bentonville, Arkansas; Carrie, who married J. O. Holtz, of Sweetland, Muscatine county; and Lincoln U.

         The early life of Lincoln U. Gipple was spent on the farm where he was born, while in the acquirement of his education he attended the common schools of Louisa county. He began his business career at the age of twenty-six years, at which time he became associated with a friend in the drug business. Three years later he purchased the interest of his partner and has ever since been conducting the store alone. In addition to this he is also one of the owners of the Letts button factory, which is proving to be a very successful venture, and is a stockholder and director of the Citizens Savings Bank.

         Mr. Gipple was married on the 14th of June, 1894, to Miss Alice Kerr, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 8th of October, 1871. She is the only daughter of the late David and Mary (Williams) Kerr. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Indiana, but they were married in Muscatine. Mr. Kerr was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred in 1885. Since his death Mrs. Kerr, who is now fifty-three years of age, has made her home in Letts. Unto them were born three children, the elder of the two sons being Frank, a resident of Kinross, Iowa, while the second born, Walter, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gipple have three children: Vivian, born on the 22d of February, 1895, who is a graduate of the high school and has also had a musical education; Orval, who was born on the 13th of March, 1898; and Weldon, whose birth occurred on the 17th of August, 1899.

         The family affiliate with the United Brethren church, of which the parents are members, and fraternally Mr. Gipple is identified with the Masonic order, holding membership in Letts Lodge, No. 245, A.F. & A.M., and also with Letts Lodge, No. 671, I.O.O.F. He votes with the republican party but never participates in municipal affairs, concentrating his entire time and attention upon the development of his business interests.