My Genealogy Hound

HON. JACOB J. VAN RIPER, Judge of the Probate Court of Berrien County, has for a number of years been one of the most distinguished men in the public life of Michigan, and is probably better known throughout the State, at least by reputation, than any other citizen of Berrien County. As a Republican, he wields a potential influence in the councils of his party; as an attorney, he is keen and forceful; as a judge, he is wise, impartial and learned; while in every relation of life, both private and public, he has acquitted himself as an honorable, upright man.

Some facts concerning the life of this well-known and eminent man will be of interest to our readers. He was born in Haverstraw Rockland County, N. Y., on the 8th of March, 1838. His father, John A. Van Riper, was born in New Jersey in 1811, and was the son of Abraham Van Riper, an early settler of New York, his ancestors having settled in America during Colonial days. The father of our subject was engaged extensively as a manufacturer of woolen goods, and was also an inventor of some repute. He married Leah, daughter of William and Margaret Zabriske, of Paterson, N. J., and many years afterward, in 1856, moved from New York City to LaGrange, Cass County, Mich., where he erected a woolen mill for the manufacture of woolen goods. His death occurred in 1886, and his wife is still living and makes her home at Dowagiac.

The third in a family of eight children (five sons and three daughters), the subject of this sketch laid the foundation of his education in the schools of New York City, after which he attended Charlotteville Institute. During the winter of 1860-61 he read law in the office of James M. Spencer, of Dowagiac, Mich., after which he pursued his studies in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He was admitted to the Bar at Cassopolis in 1863, and opened an office for the practice of his profession at Dowagiac. In 1881 he was admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington.

In 1872 our subject located in Buchanan, Berrien County, where he conducted a general law practice until he removed to Niles, in 1887. In January of 1893 he came to Berrien Springs, where he now resides. He has held many positions high in county and State political life, and has been the recipient of many honors from his fellow-citizens. In 1876 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Berrien County, and served for two terms of two years each. Under the administration of Governor Croswell he was appointed Regent of the University of Michigan, and held that position for six years. In the fall of 1880 he was elected Attorney-General of Michigan, and was re-elected in 1882, serving in all four years. In 1892 he was elected Judge of Probate on the Republican ticket, and is now the incumbent of this office.

The marriage of Judge Van Riper occurred in 1858, and united him with Miss Emma E. Bronner, who was born in New York, but at the time of her marriage was residing in Cass County, Mich. Her parents were Jacob and Mary (Norton) Bronner, natives of New York. Judge and Mrs. Van Riper are the parents of three children, namely: Luella, wife of A. Worthington, a prominent lawyer residing in Buchanan; Cassius M., also a lawyer, who makes his home in Three Oaks, Mich.; and Adah, who is at home. The family residence is a conveniently arranged and cozily furnished house located in Berrien Springs. In his fraternal relations, the Judge is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has attained a degree of success beyond that which rewards the efforts of the majority of men, but, notwithstanding his prosperity, he maintains the same geniality of manner and kindness of disposition which characterized him in former years. In all respects he is a typical American, free from ostentation, and of easy approach — a man from the people, of the people, and for the people.