Biographies
from
Woodford Co, IL
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.
Contributed by Karol Hughes
Note:
Charles A. Kipp was not a Colonel in 20th New York State Militia, but
may have been associated with the New York militia prior to his time in
California. Believe Charles was also known as Alpheus. H.R. was Horace and E.B.
was Eliakim. Believe Othelia was the widow of Champion Newton.
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 20th
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, 65th
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 an 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 6th
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.