My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM DANIEL NIPPES was of German parentage. He was for many years a resident of Mill Creek, in Lower Merion township, where he owned a farm which he managed until his death. He was a gunsmith by trade and was noted for his skill in that art. He manufactured rifles and small arms for the government, and just prior to the war of the Rebellion he made and delivered to the United States authorities arms to the value of twenty thousand dollars, for which he never received any pay. When a proposition was made to pay the bill, it was opposed by Jefferson Davis, afterwards president of the so-called Confederate States, saying there was no money in the United States treasury with which to pay it. Mr. Nippes was originally a Democrat, but was in no sense an office-seeker. After the beginning of the war for the Union he became a Republican and continued a member of that party until his death. He belonged to the Lower Merion Baptist church, as did his wife, having joined it when quite a young man. Both were buried in the Baptist church cemetery. He was a man of good ability and well educated.

Of his children: Louisa married Josiah Shinn and they had one child, Rebecca. Caroline died unmarried. Sarah Ann died at the family home. Julia Ann resides on the home farm. Emeline (deceased) married William Booth, who owns the farm and mill. Albert died of smallpox, in childhood, on the home farm. Sergeant is the father of William D. Nippes.

Sergeant Nippes was born on the homestead and grew to manhood on the farm. He was well educated. Although capable of entering the ranks of business or professional life he preferred farming. After his marriage he bought the farm now owned by his son William D. Pippes, and lived on it until his death. He was a successful farmer. He was active in his party councils. He and his wife both belonged to the same church and are buried in the same cemetery as his father. He married Miss Margaret Stillwagon, only daughter of William Stillwagon. The Stillwagons were an old family of Lower Merion township, and lived near Mill Creek, where they were farmers.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sergeant Nippes were four in number: William D., born March 12, 1841, at Mill Creek, is the subject of this review. Josephine, born in 1838, on the Stillwagon farm, married William Nobblett, of Philadelphia, who served in the Civil war and died as a result of the privations and hardships of a soldier’s life. George, born in 1843, married Miss Anna Rambo, and they had ten children. Albert, born in 1847, is married.

William D. Nippes came to his present home when a small boy, and was reared there. He worked on the farm in summer and attended the neighboring schools two months in the winter.

He married Hannah Levan, born June 15, 1844, in Berks county, Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Marias) Levan, and came to Montgomery county with her family in girlhood locating in Conshohocken, where her father was a farmer, butcher and cattle dealer. The Levans were a famous French family who came to America from France in the early days of the Republic.

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Nippes have had eight children, as follows:

Margaret E., born August 16, 1867, married William Upright. Their children are Orville, Malvin, and Florence, who died in childhood.

Henry E., born October 18, 1868, married Miss Lizzie McCain. Their children are Jennie E., Wilson and Morris.

Amanda, born November 23, 1870, married Henry Rigley. Their children are Emeline and Clarence.

Emeline, born April 7, 1872, married Frank Shenline.

Sergeant, born May 1, 1874, married Marion Opil. They have one child, Russel Nippes.

William D. Nippes is a Democrat in politics and although he takes a great interest in politics he has never sought or held office. He bought his farm in Upper Merion township in May, 1902, and has been very successful in raising crops.