Representative Men of Indiana

Page 54

RIPPEY, MATTHEW, a wealthy farmer and pioneer of Jackson Township, Elkhart County, Indiana, was born February 20, 1803, in Warren County, near Lebanon, Ohio. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Davis) Rippey, were of Scotch and Irish descent, and are supposed to have emigrated to America previous to the Revolutionary War, in order that they might enjoy greater religious freedom. The father of Matthew emigrated from Virginia to Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, about the year 1799, where he purchased a farm, upon which he remained until 1808, when he removed to Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana, and for a period of three years engaged in the milling business. He subsequently removed to Salisbury, Wayne County, Indiana, and engaged in the blacksmith's trade until 1816, when he resumed farming. He was a man of strong religious proclivities, and a worthy member of the Christian Church. He died in 1830, in his fifty-fifth year, deeply lamented. His son, Matthew Rippey, could command but limited opportunities in the way of education, only such as were obtained by an irregular attendance at common schools, and under instructors noted for their incompetence. He was obliged to walk three miles to and from school, filling up the intervals with hard work at home. Notwithstanding those adverse circumstances he succeeded in acquiring a good common school education. He taught school during four terms. In 1826 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of uncultivated land in Rush County, and applied all his native energy to the task of its improvement. After a hard day's work in the forest or field he would devote himself during the evenings to the work of making shoes or boots (he having previously learned the shoemaker's trade) for some of the neighboring families. He would generally finish one pair of shoes in three evenings, for the payment of which, he would receive one day's labor, which was of great assistance to him in clearing of his land. After remaining on this farm five years he sold it, and , removing to Elkhart County, located upon a quarter section of land, upon which he has lived for nearly half a century. Beginning with his one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson Township, he has, by his industry, thrift, and business capacity, greatly augmented his landed possessions, until he has become a wealthy man and a respected and influential citizen. Mr. Rippey was reared a Democrat, and has always adhered to the principles of that party. Notwithstanding the fact that he has been an active and liberal contributor to the interests of his party, and has held many positions of honor and trust, he is in no sense an avowed politician. he has accepted his nominations more on account of the solicitations of personal and political friends that from his own seeking. In 1832 Mr. Rippey was elected trustee for Jackson Township, serving in that position for twelve years. He was at the same time elected Justice of the Peace, being in that capacity for seven years. Before the expiration of his second term he resigned the office, that he might accept the nomination for Representative to the state Legislature, which took place in 1839. He was re-elected in 1840. In 1844 he was chosen by his party to fill a vacancy of one year in the state Senate. In 1848 he was again selected to represent his district for one year in the Lower House of the Legislature. In 1863-64 he again represented his district. In discharge of his public duties he was industrious, energetic, and conscientious, always having in view the best interests of his country, and consequently meriting the confidence of both his political friends and opponents. During his long experience in the Legislature he served upon many important committees, those of State prisons, Elections, Railroads, and others. His quick comprehension of the subjects under consideration, his logical reasoning, and, above all, his acknowledged integrity of purpose, gave him a marked influence with his compeers. Mr. Rippey is an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected forty years. By his liberality he has added much to its material property. He was married, August 3, 1826, to Jane P. Montgomery, of Wayne County, Indiana. She is an exemplary and devout Christian, highly esteemed by all who know her. They have had five children - three sons and two daughters - three of whom are living. Robert M., born August 17, 1828, entered the late war as captain of Company I, 10th Iowa Infantry, and was in active service about two years, when, on October 30, 1863, he died from a disease contracted while in the service. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Iuka and Parker's Cross Roads. He procured as part of the trophy of these battles a portion of General Beauregard's captured flag-staff, from which he manufactured a cane, that is now in the possession of his father, by whom it is greatly prized. The children have received much assistance from their father in entering upon their careers, having been treated by him with marked liberality. As a citizen, Mr. Rippey, by his fair dealing with men, commands great esteem as well as confidence. He is well-preserved, both physically and mentally, and at the age of seventy-seven he seems to possess nearly the same vigor of mind which characterized him twenty-five years ago. Being one of the pioneers, he was witnessed the growth of Elkhart County from an almost unbroken forest to a fine, well-cultivated county, and the increase of its population from a few scores of white people - outnumbered ten to one by the Indians - to thirty-four thousand, representing much wealth and prosperity; while Goshen has been converted from a mere hamlet to a fine city of forty-five hundred inhabitants, her log-cabins having been replaced by building of such imposing appearance as would do credit to any city in the country.