Erastus H. Sipperley
One of the most attractive farms in Avon township is owned and occupied by this gentleman. The home place consists of one hundred acres, which are cultivated in a careful and intelligent manner and have their fertility kept at par by a judicious rotation of crops and the use of drainage of fertilizing agencies when necessary. A complete line of farm buildings stands upon the estate, modern machinery is in use during the season of planting and reaping, and the stock of high grade grazes in the pastures. The dwelling is of unusually pleasing design, is a model of neatness and comfort, and in its surroundings gives evidence of the refined taste of the family. It was built in 1885.
The Sipperleys have been in America about two hundred years and the family was established here by natives of Holland. The parents of our subject were John & Elizabeth (Wood) Sipperley, both of whom were born in the Empire State. They brought their family to Michigan in 1835 and located i Troy, this county, where their son Erastus was born February 29,1836. He is one of the five members of the parental family now living, four having died. The father passed away August 27,1869, when nearly threescore and ten years old. The mother breathed her last November 8,1885, at the age of seventy-nine years.
The subject of this sketch lived with his father until he was twenty-six years of age, pursing the usual course in life, giving his early days to study and other to study and other preparation of the battle of life. The war having broken out he felt the desire to aid in the defense of the Union and August 11,1862, became a private in Company B, Twenty-second Michigan infantry. He was sent to Covington, KY, and with his comrades followed the rebel Gen. Bragg to Nashville and Johnson to Atlanta, taking part in numerous skirmishes and the various duties to which the regiment was assigned. The Twenty-second was badly cut up at Chickamaunga, but Mr. Shipperly escaped harm on that occasion, as he was unfit for duty and was in the hospital. He did his duty as a brave man should until after the war closed, and was mustered out June 26,1865.
Mr. Sipperley returned home in July after his discharge and at once went to work on the home farm. He continued his labors there till after his marriage, then began housekeeping on the farm he now occupies. His wedding day was February 9,1870 and his bride, Annette Everett, daughter of Andrew and Prudence (Wells) Everett. This lady was born in Macomb county, this state, and is educated and refined. She is a model housekeeper, and takes great variety of hot-house plants. Music and flowers make the home attractive, and the life of the family is one to which all can look back with pleasure when the members shall have been separated by the circumstances of life. Mr. and Mrs. Sipperley have had eight children, but two are deceased. The living are Florence E., Charles Herbert, Homer Van, Hattie Agnes, Alice May, and Zay. The deceased -- George Elmer, who died May 3,1879, and Eddie, who passed away September 9,1889.
While slavery was in the land Mr. Sipperley was classed among the Abolitionist, and for years past he had been a strong Republican. His connection with the Union Army is commemorated by membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and he takes a comrade's interest in the "boys in blue." His religious membership is in the Congregational Church and his reputation that of a consistent Christian.
Source: Portrait and biographical album
of Oakland County, Mich. : containing full page portraits and biographical
sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States and
governors of the state.
Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891
Source: Ancestry.com Message Boards
USGenWeb Michigan GenWeb Oakland County GenWeb Avon Township page
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