WI BIO - Winnebago Co - RIPLEY, Sylvanus

History of Northern Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1881, vol II, p 
1161

Sylvanus RIPLEY, lumber manufacturer, was born 03 March 1818 in the town of 
Barry [Barre?, Washington County], Vermont. He was reared in that vicinity, 
and came from Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont] to Illinois in 1843, 
and was engaged in threshing in Illinois for four years. In June 1848 he 
came to Oshkosh [Winnebago County, Wisconsin], brought the first threshing 
machine west of the Fox River in Wisconsin, and introduced the first reaper, 
which was operated near Rock River. He was engaged in threshing in Wisconsin 
for sixteen winters. He engaged in farming the year he came to this State, 
in logging that winter, and in the fall of 1848 commenced threshing.

In June 1861 in Appleton [Outagamie County], Wisconsin, Mr. [Sylvanus] RIPLEY 
was married to Phoebe BOWEN [a maiden name?], who was born in New York State. 
They [Sylvanus and Phoebe RIPLEY] have three children: Alton, Montague, and 
Mary. Mr. [Sylvanus] RIPLEY began the manufacture of lumber in 1850 in 
partnership with his present partner, a Mr. MEED, and they have continued 
that business since that time. 

Submitted by Cathy Kubly