“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  Western 
Historical Company.   1879.


HON. JONATHAN PIPER, of J. Piper & Son, general merchants, millers and 
farmers; born Feb. 7, 1818, in Guilford Township, Strafford Co., N.H.; moved to 
Western New York, near Buffalo, in 1822, with his parents; he was educated and 
afterward served a nine-years’ apprenticeship there; traveled one year in Illinois, and, 
in June, 1847, came to Wisconsin and located at Pipersville, Jefferson Co.; built a 
store and established his business; at this time, there was only a saw-mill and a small 
grocery in the township; the country was quite new, but impressed him favorably, 
and he concluded to make his home here; soon afterward, he commenced the 
manufacture of saleratus, and for a number of years was quite successful; in 1857, 
the village was destroyed by fire, but he rebuilt his store, etc., and continued his 
manufacture until he bought an interest in the flouring and saw mill in connection 
with Lester Sexton, of Milwaukee, and John Gibb, of Ixonia; in 1858, he built the 
store now occupied by them (J. Piper & Son); the firm was previously, til 1867, J. & 
S. M. Piper; in 1870, he and Mr. Gibb bought Mr. Sexton’s interest in the mill, the 
latter having died about a year previously.  In 1865, Mr. Piper was a member of the 
Assembly, and he has served for thirteen years (eight years consecutively) as 
member of the County Board of Supervisors, eight years under the county system 
and five years as Chairman of the Town Board; he was Town Clerk for a number of 
years.  During the war, he was a member of the committee on filling the town quota; 
has been Postmaster since 1847, and has held office as Notary Public under direct 
commission from every Governor for twenty-five years.  Married Miss Jenette C. 
Rathbon, of Auburn, N.Y., Feb. 9, 1840, and has two children living – Francis V., 
born Nov. 9, 1840; Martin L., Oct. 17, 1852.  Francis V. Piper, son of the above, was 
born in Bennington, Wyoming Co., N.Y.; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 
1847, and has worked for his father since he left school; in 1867, joined partnership 
with him, having purchased his uncle’s interest in the business.   Married Miss Julia 
A. Burns, of Farmington, Feb. 19, 1865; they have five children – Asa E., born June 
19, 1866; Bruce V., Feb. 27, 1868; Nettie, June 21, 1870; Grace, April 25, 1872; 
Frank M., August 9, 1879.  He served as Supervisor of the township for five years, 
and has been Town Clerk from 1866 to the present time excepting one year; member 
of Lodge No. 49, Chapter No. 11, Masons.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel  (LPingel@worldnet.att.net)