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 AMUEL LIPPINCOTT settled in Coles County in October, 1855, at what is known as Greasy Point, where he rented land for a term of five years, and in the meantime saved enough to make a purchase of forty acres in the fall of 1859. This land is now included in his present homestead, which he took possession of in 1851. Afterward he purchased eighty acres which his son now occupies, and in due time became the owner of 215 acres, upon which he perfected the improvements which had already been begun, so that he now has one of the most desirable homesteads in Morgan Township. Mr. Lippincott is a forcible illustration of the self-made man, who began life equipped only with his strong hands and persevering disposition. At the same time he was remarkably fortunate in his selection of a life companion, his excellent wife having worked hand in hand with him, encouraging him under misfortune, and proving at all times a wise counselor and his most faithful friend. Their efforts in time were abundantly rewarded, and besides reaping the substantial benefits of their industry, they secured the respect and esteem of all who knew them. One feature of the homestead is the blooded stock, which includes one imported English Shien and one Hambletonian horse, besides a number of other fine animals. Samuel Lippincott is the son of William and Phebe (Henry) Lippincott, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1801, and the latter of Virginia, born in 1805. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel B., a native of Pennsylvania, was the descendant of an excellent old English family, whose history has been preserved through the lapse of more than 200 years, embracing 500 individuals, and extending down to the grandchildren of our subject. Grandfather Lippincott, one of a family of three or four children, remained in his native State until quite an old man, then emigrated to Allen County, Ohio, during its early settlement, himself and family being among the first to locate there. He purchased a tract of Government land in about 1827, upon which the town of Lima stands, and which is now the county seat, and departed this life in that county in 1839. His wife was formerly Miss Elizabeth Morgan, to whom he was married in Pennsylvania. She was of German ancestry, and became the mother of seven children, viz., Morgan John, Samuel, Joseph, William, Henry, Jane and Elizabeth. Jane married and reared a large family; Elizabeth died in her youth. The boys were all married in Ohio and reared large families; Henry, the youngest, became Sheriff of Allen County; William, the fourth son, was the father of our subject, and removed with his parents to Ohio, which journey was performed overland with teams. Upon one occasion the tedious days of travel were enlivened by the running away of all the teams in the mountains. They were recaptured, however, without serious injury to goods or animals. The father of our subject was twice married, his first wife being Miss Lydia Waters, a native of his own State. They located upon a farm in Champaign County, Ohio, where they remained for a number of years, then removed to Allen County, whence, after a residence of eight years, they returned to Champaign County, where the father died. Of the first marriage there were born a son and daughter John and Harriett. The former engaged in wagon-making in the city of Newark, and became the father of a large family; Harriett, the widow of James Daniels, is a resident of Wisconsin, and the mother of seven children. The second wife of William Lippincott was Miss Phebe Hensey, of Virginia, who became the mother of our subject. Samuel Lippincott was born March 22, 1822, in Logan County, Ohio, whence his father removed not long afterward to Champaign County, where he grew to manhood. He lived in Allen County also with his parents, and after his marriage in 1847, followed farming in Champaign County until his removal to Central Illinois in 1855. The wife of our subject, formerly Miss Rachel Johnson, was born Sept. 20, 1826, in Champaign County, and was the daughter of Thomas and Anna (Heath) Johnson, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Thomas Johnson was born in 1802, and was cut down in his prime, his death occurring when he was but thirty-seven years of age. The wife and mother survived until 1863, dying in Champaign County, Ohio, when sixty-nine years old. They were the parents of nine children, six now living: Eliza, Mrs. Jenkins, is the mother of five children, and lives in Ohio; Levi has a farm of 275 acres in Champaign County, Ohio; Emily married Samuel Small, who died in April, 1887, and left three children ; Mrs. S. is now living at the home of our subject, in this county. Martha Ann married Peter Baker, of Urbana, Ohio, and became the mother of three sons and three daughters, two of the former now deceased; Rachel, Mrs. L., was the youngest of the family; Minerva, unmarried, is living with one of her sisters in Ohio. Levi. the son of David Johnson, served as a Union soldier in the late war, from 1861 to 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lippincott became the parents of eight children, all living, as follows: George William, born June 9, 1848, married Miss Mary Montgomery, and is the father of seven children; they occupy a part of the homestead ; James Milton, born Oct. 4, 1850, married Miss Lulu Sumner, has two children, and lives in Moultrie County; Marietta, born Dec. 18, 1852, is the wife of William Combs (see sketch); Martha Ann, born Sept. 18, 1856, is the wife of John Hornaday, of Morgan Township, and the mother of two children; Rosella Jane, born Feb. 24, 1859, is the wife of Matthias Smith, of Seven Hickory Township, and the mother of three children: Lydia Celia, born Feb. 3, 1863, is the wife of James Smail, of Oakland, and has one child living, one being deceased; John Henry, born April 6, 1866, is unmarried and at home; Edward Theodore, born Nov. 30, 1868, was the last baby of the household, and is now a bright lad not quite nineteen years of age. Mr. Lippincott in 1865 became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and for a period of twenty years has been one of its warmest supporters and most cheerful givers. During this time he has officiated a long period as Elder, and has the pleasure of knowing that all of his family are gathered into the fold with him. He became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1864, which had been organized at Union Point in 1845, by Mr. Ashmore, one of the early settlers of the county, and one of its most highly respected citizens, but afterward found it convenient to withdraw. Mr. L. considers that the best sermon he ever heard was preached in the early times in Ashmore Township. He assisted in hauling the material for the church edifice in which he now worships from Newport, Ind., in the winter of 1855, and was one of the chief pillars in upholding the organization amid discouragements and difficulties. Politically he has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since its organization, although only meddling in politics enough to determine the candidate best worthy to receive his support. The brothers and sisters of our subject are recorded as follows: Jane, the wife of E. Smith, is a resident of Licking County, Ohio, and has a family of two sons and five daughters; Lydia Ann married George Smith, has six children, and lives in Scotland County, Mo.; George, a merchant of Springfield, Ohio, was married and became the father of only one child, who died young; he has been a widower for several, years. Nancy died when two years of age. George served as a soldier through the late war. Soon after enlisting he was sent home on account of disability, but employed himself in recruiting a company, and going back to the field was appointed Lieutenant, and afterward Captain, receiving in the meantime a ball in the shoulder, which he still carries. |
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