WI BIO - Dane Co - TIPPLE, Huntington
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 306-307

Huntington TIPPLE was born in the town of Fenner, Madison County, New York, 
27 February 1822, and was the son of Abraham TIPPLE, who was born at 
Schoharie [Schoharie County], New York, and his father Martin TIPPLE, was a 
former resident of Dutchess County, New York. He [Martin TIPPLE] was of 
German ancestry as far as known. He removed from Dutchess County to 
Schoharie County and from there to Oneida County [NY], where he was one of 
the pioneers, and there spent the remainder of his days. The maiden name of 
the grandmother of our subject [the wife of Martin TIPPLE] was Margaret 
OSTERHAUT, and she was of Holland ancestry. She [Mrs. Martin TIPPLE] reared 
seven children: George, Cornelius, Peter, Abraham [the father of Huntington 
TIPPLE], John, David, and Jacob.

The father of our subject [Abraham TIPPLE] was thirteen years old when his 
parents [Martin and Margaret (OSTERHAUT) TIPPLE] removed to Oneida County 
[NY], and there he was reared. After reaching manhood he [Abraham TIPPLE] 
purchased forty acres of timber land in the town of Verona, Oneida County 
[NY]. He was industrious and possessed good judgment, hence was a successful 
business man. In connection with his farming he operated a stone quarry and 
conducted a store and meat market. He later purchased five other tracts of 
forty acres, making in all six farms extending along one street. He resided 
in Verona [Oneida County, NY] some years and then removed to what is now 
Verona Center, Oneida County, New York, where he purchased an hotel, with 
quite a tract of land, which he platted and started a village. Here he 
[Abraham TIPPLE] resided until his death, in 1861.

Our subject [Huntington TIPPLE] was reared and educated in his native State 
[NY] and things were in a very primitive condition then. Simple ways 
prevailed, and although times were not as when his grandfather [Martin 
TIPPLE] came to the State [NY] and found more Indians than whites, with no 
railroads and no means of travel except by the slow [p 307] canal routes, 
still, removed from the great centers, life went on very quietly and with 
little change. He [Abraham TIPPLE] remembers when wheat was a luxury, core 
and rye bread forming the staples of living, and nothing in the way of 
groceries were bought for constant use. A few of what we now [1893] consider 
necessities were kept for severe illness or honored guests, but among the 
early life in most pioneer counties the sassafras bush furnished the tea and 
maple the sugar on most tables.

Our subject [Abraham TIPPLE] made the best of his opportunities for obtaining 
an education, but he was reared to habits of thrift and at an early age began 
to assist on the farm and to make himself useful. Until 1843 he remained in 
Oneida County [NY], then removed to Chautauqua County [NY], and in 1845 came 
to the Territory of Wisconsin [not a state until 29 May 1848]. In company 
with Norman SIMMONS he started with one horse and wagon, intending to drive 
all the way, but at Ashabula [Astabula County], Ohio, he drove into a shed to 
feed the horse and there the latter became fractious, broke the wagon, and, 
in consequence, they changed their plans. The second day they were fortunate 
enough to secure a ride to Grand River [Lake County, OH, just west of 
Ashtabula County], and there embarked on a steamer to Milwaukee [Milwaukee 
County, Territory of Wisconsin], where our subject secured a ride with a 
farmer as far as Rock Prairie [?], where he visited a brother-in-law nearby. 
In October [1845?] he started out on foot to seek a home which would suit his 
ambitious ideas, purse, and fancy, and came directly to Dane County.

At that time Madison [Dane County, Territory of Wisconsin] was but a hamlet, 
with only two small stores. The country was but sparsely settled and the 
land had not yet been purchased by the Government, and deer and other wild 
game were plentiful, roaming at will. He [Hunginton TIPPLE] selected a tract 
of Government land in section 7, in what is now the town of Rutland [Dane 
County, WI], and on foot went to [the land office at] Milwaukee and purchased 
the land, paying $1.25 per acre. Being single and with limited means, he 
worked for others a portion of the time to enable him to get his living, and 
the remainder of the time he labored on his land. This did not continue, for 
in 1848 he [Huntington TIPPLE] erected a log cabin, married, and began 
housekeeping in that humble abode. However, this state did not long continue 
either, for soon the land was cleared, a frame house took the place of the 
old one, and two barns were built. Here the family lived until 1864, and 
then he traded his farm for a home and twelve acres of land in the village of 
Oregon [Dane County, WI]. At this place he resided but a few months and then 
purchased a farm at Lake Harriet, in the town of Oregon. He has since 
bought, occupied, and sold several farms, being successful as a farmer and 
dealer in real estate. Our subject was active in all of his business 
interests until recently, when he settled down to the enjoyment of a quiet 
comfort in the village of Oregon [Dane County, WI].

In 1848 our subject [Huntington TIPPLE] married Hannah E. KURTZ, who was born 
in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joseph KURTZ. Mr. and 
Mrs. TIPPLE [Huntington and Hannah E. (KURTZ) TIPPLE] have seven children: 
Romanus C., Horatio, Helen, Amanda, Hattie H., Edna, and Marian. Mrs. TIPPLE 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He [Huntington TIPPLE] has been a 
Republican since the formation of the party [1854] and attended the second 
constitutional convention, which convened in 1848, at which he, with another 
gentleman, had charge of the mail distributed to the distinguished members at 
that time.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly