Biographical Sketches
FREDERICK RIPPERDAN FIELDS
Has been a witness of much of the history of this republic, having living through every presidential administration since the 4th executive of the nation occupied the capital in Washington. He is now an honored and worthy citizen of Sniabar township, Jackson county, where for many years he has carried on agricultural pursuits. He was born in Bogle county, Kentucky, November 27, 1812, and was reared to manhood on a farm. His father, James Fields, was also a native of Kentucky, and was a son of William Fields, who was born on the Emerald Isle and came to the United States when a boy. He was one of the pioneers of Bogle county, Kentucky. James Fields served as a soldier in the War of 1812 under General Harrison. He married Sarah Ripperdan, and they had 8 children, but our subject is now the only survivor. One brother, William Fields, came to Jackson county, Missouri, at an early day and located near Independence, where he carried on farming until his death, which occurred in 1862. He was the father of Christopher Fields, of Sniabar.
The gentlemen whose name introduces this review spent the first 30 years of this life on the old homestead and managed the business interests of his father, who was an extensive farmer and slave owner. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, in which, however, he was self-instructed, and in 1846 he came to Jackson county, where his brother already lived. For 13 years he was engaged in contracting and building, and erected a number of country churches, stores and residences. In 1865 he settled upon his present farm. He has 311 acres of land, all but 60 acres in the home farm, and his land is under a high state of cultivation. He engages in the raising of corn and wheat. He is also extensively engaged in the raising of hogs and has a good farm, well improved with modern machinery and equipments. He owes his success entirely to his own efforts, and is a self-made man, who, overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in his path, has climbed steadily upward step by step to a position of affluence.
On the 31st day of May, 1859, in Warrensburg, Johnson county, Mr. Fields was united in marriage with Miss Mary Duncan, a native of Bogle county, Kentucky, who came to Missouri in 1857. She has been a member of the Baptist church since her girlhood days and is a most estimable lady. Mr. Fields gives his political support to the democracy, but cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay. His life has been a busy and useful one, and his genuine worth has won for him the esteem of many friends. He has witnessed the entire growth and upbuilding of this locality for the past half a century, and has taken an important part in the work of public improvement.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.