Adelbert Kipp

Contributed by Karol Hughes. Visited cemeteries in July 2004. 

Taken from Portrait and Biographical Album of Woodford County, Illinois: Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Together with Portraits and Biographies of all the Governors of the State and the Presidents of the United States.

 Note: Charles A. Kipp was not a Colonel in 20^th New York State Militia, but may have been associated with the New York militia prior to his time in California. Charles was also known as Alpheus. H.R. was Horace and E.B. was Eliakim.

Several Kipp family members were buried in Tonica, IL.

Old Cemetery: Alpheus Kipp, May 2, 1814 – Sep. 20, 1870
            Eliza Amanda Kipp, May 6, 1815 – July 18, 1894
            Champion M. Newton, May 15, 1835 – Feb. 20, 1867
            Othelia A. Newton, Jan 17, 1841 – May 19, 1911 (d/o of Alpheus and Eliza Amanda Kipp)

Bookside Cemetery:
            Adelbert B. Kipp, Oct. 12, 1843 – Sep. 10, 1913 - grave marker Sgt., Co. D, 65 Ill Inf (Year of birth differs from bio.)
            Margaret Belle Shepherd, wife of A. B. Kipp, May 7, 1843 – Mar. 3, 1888

ADELBERT B. KIPP. Among the business men of Minonk, a prominent rank should be given the above-named gentleman, who is a dealer in lumber and hardware in that place. He has been a resident here since April, 1866, at which time he engaged with his brother, H. R. Kipp, in the lumber trade. In 1874 the firm of Kipp Bros. became Kipp & Gordon, and in 1883 the gentleman of whom we write became sole proprietor of the business, which he has since conducted alone.

Before relating the main events in the life of our subject, a few words in regard to his family will not be amiss. His parents were Charles A. and Eliza A. (Briggs) Kipp, both of whom were born in New York State. Their home was in Lexington, Greene County, for many years. Mr. Kipp was Colonel of the 20^th New York State Militia, and more or less prominent in public life. He served as Sheriff of that county, and later of Placer County, Cal. Upon the discovery of gold in that territory in 1848, Mr. Kipp was one of the first to start for that Eldorado of the West. His journey was made by the overland route, and he remained on the Slope for thirteen years. He engaged in mining, and when railroads began to be built, as contractor in that work. He met the usual fortune of a Californian in suffering some serious reverses, but was financially successful on the whole, and returned to the States with quite a fortune. Soon after his return from the West he located in Illinois, his first home being at Tonica, where he resided from 1863 to1866. At that date he came to Minonk, and here died two years later, being then sixty-seven years old. His wife is still living here. The five children who comprise the family are all living; H. R. is a resident of Chicago, Ill.; O. S. and E. B., of Elliott, Iowa; Othelia, the wife of O. A. Newton, of this place. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the third in order of this family.

Adelbert B. Kipp was born in Lexington, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1844. He was educated in the common schools and academy of his native place. At the age of sixteen he came to Illinois and stopped at Tonica, where two brothers and his sister were already living. The day after his journey he engaged as a farm hand, and served as such for one year. He then (1862) enlisted in Company D, 65^th Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was present in all the engagements in which the regiment participated, and was one of the few fortunate ones who escaped without wounds. At the battle of Harpers’ Ferry he was taken prisoner by the enemy, but was at once paroled and sent to Chicago. After being exchanged he rejoined his command, which was sent into Kentucky and Tennessee. Mr. Kipp was present at the siege of Knoxville, after which he made one of the 60,000 gallant men who accompanied Sherman to the sea. After their victorious entry into Atlanta, the regiment returned to Tennessee, and participated in the battles of Franklin, Pulaski and Nashville. They next went to Ft. Fisher, N. C., following which came the battles of Taylor’s Creek, Millington, Goldsboro, and Johnstown, at which place Gen. Johnson surrendered and the war was closed. Mr. Kipp returned to Chicago, where he was mustered out of service. He was a faithful and efficient soldier, and the term “honorably discharged,” is more than an empty name when applied to him.

Mr. Kipp returned to Tonica, and engaged as clerk in the old Union store at that place. Ten months later he changed his residence to this place, as before mentioned. At the home of the bride in Tonica, in November, 1866, he was married to Miss Margaret Belle Shepherd. She was born in Ripley, Ohio, and with her parents, Campbell A. and Mary A. Shepherd, came to Tonica, in the year 1852. She finished her education at the Miami University of Ohio. She bore her husband two children: Campbell S. and Sherwood N. She departed this life on the 6^th of March, 1888, aged forty-five years. She was an educated and refined lady, a faithful wife and loving mother. Her death was deeply regretted by many friends outside the bereaved family circle.

Mr. Kipp is a Democrat, and for some years was active in political life. He was a delegate to county, district and State conventions, and has served his fellow-citizens as Supervisor, Alderman and Major of Minonk. He is a member of the G. A. R. His religious views coincide with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, in which he holds membership. Mr. Kipp is a shrewd and successful businessman, and the property which he possesses is the result of his own efforts. He is a man who enjoys the good things of life, and his home is a pleasant hospitable one. He delights in hunting and fishing, and is a capital sportsman.

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