Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 525

HON. GEORGE C. SHIPMAN, of West Liberty, first came to Muscatine County in 1853. He was born in Marietta, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1824, and is a son of William H. and Mary Ann ( Edgerton ) Shipman, the latter a native of Connecticut, and the former of Marietta, Ohio, but of New England descent, born in 1793, shortly after the settlement of the New England Colony at Marietta, the first settlemant made in the State. William H. Shipman by trade was a carpenter, and a fine workman in that line. He lived at Marietta until 1828, when he removed with his family to Wheeling, W.Va., where he was engaged as contractor until his death, which occurred the following year. After that sad event his widow moved back to Marietta, Ohio, and two years later married Joseph Barker, and soon after the family removed to a farm in Washington County, Ohio. Mr. Barker was quite a prominent man, serving for several terms as a member of the Legislature, and was Associate Judge of Washington County for many years.

When his mother contracted her second marriage George C. was but six years old. He remained in the family until sixteen years of age, receiving his education in the common schools, supplemented by one year's attendance at Marietta Academy. When he arrived at the age mentioned he secured a situation as clerk in a mercantile establishment, where he remained until he attained his majority. He then returned to the farm for a few months, and in the fall of 1846 his step-father fitted up a flatboat, and together they loaded it with produce and embarked for New Orleans. Arriving at Memphis he sold out, realizing a profit of $300 on the venture. Pleased with his success and believing the business a lucrative one, he continued to follow it until the fall of 1852, when he made his last trip.

In the spring of 1853 Mr. Shipman was united in marriage with Miss Malissa B. Stone, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Samuel Stone. Believing the fair State of Iowa a far better country, the young couple resolved to move to this " beautiful land," and in the fall succeeding their marriage came to Muscatine County, where Mr. Shipman purchased 200 acres of land on section 9, of what is now Goshen Township. This was raw land, but willing hands went to work and in due time it was transformed into a beautiful and productive farm. On this farm they resided until 1862, when the step-father of Mr. Shipman having died, he returned with his family to Ohio, and lived on his mother's farm until 1867, when he again came back, sold his farm and moved into West Liberty, where he has since continued to reside.

On coming to West Liberty our subject engaged in the grain trade, in which he continued for two years. He then embarked in the grocery and provision business, continuing in that line for another two years. In the fall of 1870 he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which office he has since continued to fill, having been re-elected biennially. In the discharge of the duties of the office he has given universal satisfaction. Unlike many others in the same position he seeks to prevent litigation instead of encouraging it for the fee that might be received.

Not long after the arrival of Mr. Shipman in this county, his neighbors discovered the worth of the man, and he was nominated and elected a member of the House of Representatives of the 8th General Assembly. He was re-elected and served as a member of the 9th General Assembly. During his first term he served as a member of the military committee with N. B. Baker, who gained great reputation as Adjutant General of the State during the Rebellion. In the 9th Assembly he was Chairman of the committee on township and county organization ; a very important committee. He was present at the special session called on the outbreak of the Civil War, voting for every measure calculated to facilitate enlistments and preserve the honor of the State. Previous to the first election to the General Assembly, he served as Township Assessor in 1855, and in 1857 was elected and served as County Assessor.

Our subject and wife are the parents of six children : Fannie, for twelve years a teacher in the schools of Iowa City, died in February, 1886 ; William H. is a harness-maker, residing in West Liberty ; Rufus Stone died at the age of one and a half years ; Mary D. is the wife of J. H. Clark, a farmer of Wapsinonoc Township ; Lizzie and Alice reside at home. Mrs. Shipman died in February, 1885, at the age of sixty-three years ; she was a member of the Presbyterian Church, with which body she had been connected for many years. An honest and devoted Christian woman, a loving wife and mother, her death was deeply mourned by all who knew her.

In his church relations Mr. Shipman is also a Presbyterian and a Trustee of the church at West LIberty. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is at present Secretary of Mt. Calvary Lodge No.95, A.F.&.A.M., and also Secretary of Liberty Chapter No.79, R.A.M. Politically he is a Republican, of " the strictest sect of religion, " and withal a strong temperance man. He is Secretary of the School Board and holds a like position in the Fair Association of West Liberty. As a citizen no man has been more closely identified with every interest having a tendency to build up and honor the city of West LIberty, and for the good that he has done, and for the good that is in him he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.


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