Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 389-391] ALBERT PHIPPS - From out the goodly company that composed the Milford Emigration Society, which effected the first permanent settlement in Cherokee County, there are at present but five remain living in the county. The others have either removed to other sections of the country, having been driven away during the Indian troubles or having gone from choice, or have been called from life's shifting scenes and are now sleeping that long sleep we call Death. With lives so full of activity and grand accomplishments, with a history so replete with self-sacrifice and thrilling adventures, the biographical pen scarcely knows where to commence, and at what point to conclude. When one con- templates this little band of liberty-loving people, who left their snug, cultured New England homes over thirty years ago to plant a colony in the wilds of Northwestern Iowa, and then glances at the statistics of to-day, showing over 16,000 population in a county whose foundation stone and corner stakes were set up in 1856, he is inspired anew, as it were, to sketch a brief review of the life of each survivor of that band. As one interviews these first pioneers, notes their failing voices and bedimmed sight, their whitened locks and deeply furrowed brows, he shrinks from the task imposed upon him, knowing that these unfailing signs speak in tones of pathos and eloquence, such as the pen in incapable of expressing. Yet a written record, a just and adequate memento, must and shall be preserved, so that future generations may have means of forming correct ideas as to who and what the first comers to the country were, and what they endured and accomplished. Well may we pause to-day midst the cultivated surroundings and charming attractions of this developed country, and note the contrast between the present and that day in May, 1856, upon which the Milford Colony viewed it, just as it was left by the trails of Indians in their flight from civilized life. These first settlers looked upon streams that reflected the image of the red man who had just folded up his tents in Cherokee County for the last time; he had trod the rolling expanse of prairie a life-time, but then left it to the plowshare of a better and nobler race. ALBERT PHIPPS, one of the five of the original colony now left, was born in the town of Milford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, October 7, 1820, 200 years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers on the wild New England shores. AARON PHIPPS, father of ALBERT, was also a native of Massachusetts, and a descendant of English ancestors. AARON'S father was SAMUEL PHIPPS. The PHIPPS family were noted for the great number of blacksmiths it contained, the trade having been handed down from father to son for generations. ALBERT PHIPPS'S mother was POLLY H. PHIPPS, a daughter of JASON PHIPPS, of Revolutionary fame. She was born in Connecticut, and after her marriage to AARON PHIPPS settled in Massachusetts,where she resided until her death, which occurred in October, 1826. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters, six of whom are living. He died in June, 1839. ALBERT was the fifth child of the family, and his mother died when he was six years of age. Thus left an orphan at so tender an age, he early began life's conflict for himself. His opportunities for gaining an edu- cation were very limited. He learned the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. After mastering this industry he engaged in the manufacture of goods which are now rapidly turned out by machinery. He followed this occupation at intervals for twenty years, and in the spring of 1856 came to Iowa with the Milford Emigration Society, when not a wheel-track flattened the native prairie grass. He pre-empted a quarter section of land upon which he began making a home; he erected a small log cabin just north of the present town, and afterward purchased other lands and improved them. All that was produced for market had to be hauled by ox-teams a great distance, and sold very low. The hardships endured were enough to have dis- heartened any man, but Mr. PHIPPS'S courage did not fail him, and he remained with his undertaking. Soon there were evidences of better days; emigration commenced to flow westward, and the country began to develop. Having secured a choice piece of land near the placid waters of the Little Sioux, Mr. PHIPPS turned his attention to farming the tract upon which he now lives; it contains 200 acres of land, and he has kept it well stocked with high grades of animals, and paying proper attention to the business of stock-raising he has made it pay well. In 1844 he was married to Miss MARTHA LITTLEFIELD, a most estimable lady, a daughter of DAVID LITTLEFIELD, Esq. She was born in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the same neighborhood in which Mr. PHIPPS was brought up. After coming to Iowa, during those long, dark pioneer days, she not unfrequently longed for the once happy home in old New England, but sighs and heartaches could not take her back to her childhood's home, midst the pine-clad hills of the old Bay State. To Mr. and Mrs. PHIPPS have been born nine children, all of whom are living; BETHANA A., LUTHER, JOHN A., ADALINE H., HENRY L., FRANK F., ARTHUR I., NATHAN A. and MATTIE. They all reside in Cherokee County, and as the father remarked, "I can jump a horse and ride to any child I have in half an hour." Mr. PHIPPS took part in the Civil War, being a member of Company I, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, General McPHERSON commanding. He took part in the siege of Savannah and battle of Bentonville, and was with General SHERMAN on his famous march to the sea, and back through the Carolinas to Goldsboro, until the final surrender of Confederate General JO JOHNSTON. On account of exposure Mr. PHIPPS contracted rheumatism and was sent north to Philadelphia, where he was honorably discharged; he at once returned to his home in Cherokee County. Politically he supports the issues of the Republican party, and has held various township and county offices. He served the county ten years as supervisor, holding that office when the supervisor system first became a law in 1861, and at a time when the whole county was in one great civil township. He himself composed the Board of Supervisors — was a sort of king. But he was elected to such position on account of his good, sound judgment, and his strict integrity of character, which he has ever maintained. Had it not been for his sterling qualities at an early day the land sharks and contract swindlers would doubtless have ruined the finances of this county, as they did in adjoining counties. Many an overture was made to him to put up jobs to swindle the Cherokee County tax-payers, all of which were received with disdain. Mr. PHIPPS belongs to Custer Post, No. 25, G.A.R. It may be added in conclusion that the author of the general history of this county is deeply indebted to Mr. PHIPPS for many points of interest. ===========================================================================