Mary D. Shipton is a member of one of the most interesting families of Derinda Township. She owns and occupies a good farm on sections 5, 6 and 8, which she has managed since the death of her husband, Joseph Shipton, Feb. 18, 1864. It has needed a cool head and steady nerves to engineer the farm successfully in its various departments and the indications are that Mrs. Shipton possesses these in a marked degree.
The husband of this sketch was born in Alabama October 1812. His educational advantages were exceedingly limited and at an early age his services were utilized in the care and labors of the family. Joseph Shipton came to Galena in 1828 and sojourned there a period of ten years, in the meantime becoming the husband of our subject, August 21, 1838. In 1845 he purchased the present homestead, building thereon a house and adding other improvements from time to time. He had, prior to this, followed blacksmithing a number of years. He was prosperous in his labors and later added to his real estate until he became the owner of 224 acres.
He served as a private in the Blackhawk War. In 1850 he went overland to CA and as the result of hardship and exposure, his health suffered so that he was obliged to return to his family. He left for CA the 18th of March 1850 and returned the 7th of March 1851, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was prominent in local affairs, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him, having among his friends such men as E.B. Washburne and others whose names have since become closely allied with the history of Illinois. It was partly through his influence that Mr. Washburne was placed in a lucrative position at Galena. Socially, he was a charter member of a lodge of I.O.O.F. in Galena, and one of three charter members of Hardin Lodge No. 33, Elizabeth. Politically he was a sound Republican, and held the office of Supervisor a number of years. He gave liberally to the support of his principles, and was an active worker. Religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He departed this life Feb. 18, 1864. SInce then the estate has been managed by Mrs. Shipton with the assistance of her son Thomas. They raise grain and stock, the latter including cattle, horses and swine.
The subject of this sketch was born Nov. 23, 1815, near the historic battlefield of Gettysburg, PA and is the daughter of Samuel and Jane (Denning) McGrath, who were natives of PA and lived in Little Yor PA until their daughter was four years of age. Thence they removed to Hookstown, Beaver Co PA where she was reared to womanhood. Their next removal was to this county, and after living two years at Galena, Mary D. was married to Mr. Joseph Shipton. Of this union there were ten children of whom only one is living - Thomas D. who married Hattie A. daughter of William and Mary (McDonald) Campbell of Derinda who occupies the homestead with his mother. The others are , Calantha M., John Wesley, Joseph Edwin, Francis A., Mary J., Elizabeth, Charles, Samuel Washburn, George Wallace. Thomas is the father of two children - William Joseph and Charles Custer. There are living with Mrs. Shipton five of her grandchildren, the children of Francis and Rosanna (Woolcot) Shipton, namely; Henry Wallace, Theodora Eliza, Frank E., Jennie F. and John W., the two latter twins.
Mrs. Shipton is a very kindly and intelligent lady and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her son Thomas is a Republican, politically; believes in the revision of the tariff, but not in free trade. He is not connected with any religious organization, but his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. During the late rebellion Joseph Edwin served as a soldier in the 96th IL Inf. three months. He was afterward drafted and was in the barracks at Chicago at the close of the war. After his discharge from the 96th, coming home he was married to Esther Wayman of Derinda and they have two children, the eldest of whom, George W., is a clerk in a generals tore in Hanover, and Joseph E. lives with his mother in Elizabeth. He is a correspondent of the Galena Gazette.
The father of the two latter children was accidentally killed in CA while connected with the Cerro Gordo Freighting Company. The eldest son, John, was graduated from the Rush Medical College, but on account of ill health repaired to Florida, where he remained for a time, but after starting home died at Detroit Micho. March 19, 1867. All but two of the children died with consumption. The estate being recently divided, Mr. Thomas Shipton purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home place, and the property is now in posession of his mother and himself.
Portraits & Biographical 1889 Pg 687
