My Genealogy Hound

Elijah D. Whipple, a prosperous farmer, minister and former merchant and postmaster, was born on the same farm where he now lives near Upton, Ind., September 7, 1856. At that time there were but two or three houses in the neighborhood and Upton did not exist. The parents of our subject were Willard and Mahalah (Jones) Whipple, the former a native of New York and the latter of Livingston county, Kentucky. The elder Whipple settled at Lawrenceburg, Ind., about seventy-five years ago, and from there removed to Posey county when there was as yet only a little of the ground cleared and wild game was abundant, especially turkey and deer. Elijah Whipple was the eldest of three sons, and after finishing the common schools of those times he went to work on the farm with his parents. Later he farmed for two or three years in the bottoms. Upon the death of his father in the spring of 1876 he returned to the home place, and has lived there ever since. His mother died in 1877. In 1884 Mr. Whipple built a pretty home on his farm, which is well improved and contains 106 acres, all under cultivation. Formerly he was a breeder of Poland China hogs, but at present is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has been a grain buyer for a number of years and is now agent for the Home Grain and Mill Company of Mt. Vernon, for which concern he buys grain at Upton. At one time Mr. Whipple was in the general merchandise business at Upton, and served as postmaster of the town for four years. The Whipple family are members of the Baptist church, in which our subject was ordained as a minister in 1908. He is a forceful speaker and has preached at several places with great success. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ben Hur Lodge and of the Court of Honor, and in politics is a Prohibitionist. On July 18, 1875, the marriage of Mr. Whipple to Nancy J. Nestler, daughter of Gilson and Permelia Nestler, took place. The parents of Mrs. Whipple were born in Black township, Posey county, where her father farmed. She was also born in Black township of that county, and was educated in the public schools. Two children were born of this union: Bessie E., December 25, 1891, who married Harley Crawford, and a resident of Kansas City, Mo., where he is an employee of the Metropolitan Railway Company, and Burton E., June 7, 1896, who is at home. The Mrs. Whipple died December 1, 1901. On October 12, 1902, our subject married Mrs. Osie A. Aldredge, nee Welborn, daughter of William and Fredonia Welborn, natives of this county engaged in farming and stock raising. She was born in Black township of this county, where she attended the common schools. They have two children, Bonnie M., born July 5, 1903, and Earle E., September 3, 1906, both attending school at Upton, where they have made exceptionally good records.