Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Shipman, Abraham 1810 - 1878 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com August 6, 2005, 5:25 am Author: Biographical Publishing Co. HON. ABRAHAM SHIPMAN, deceased, who in his day served as associate judge of Northumberland County, Pa., and also as county surveyor, was a well-known and most influential man. He was a son of John and Mary (McKinney) Shipman and was born March 6, 1810, in Lower Augusta township, where he resided all his life, passing away August 8, 1878. He was educated in the common schools of his native county and studiously applied himself when not in school, thereby acquiring a good education. He studied civil engineering under David Andrews and became a proficient surveyor, entering upon the duties of his profession in March, 1836. He built what is known as the Shipman mill, on the old homestead in Rockefeller township, and carried on farming and milling in conjunction with surveying and conveyancing, doing quite an extensive business. He served as county surveyor for several years; was associate judge for a period of ten years; and subsequently was justice of the peace in Lower Augusta township for several years: Politically he was an ardent Democrat, active and influential in the councils of his party, and for a long time was its recognized leader in the county. Harmon Shipman, Sr., the progenitor of the American branch of the numerous Shipman family, was a native of Germany and was born in 1717. He immigrated to this country about 1740, settling in New Jersey at a place known as Uniontown, in what is now Harmony township, Warren County; there Jie purchased 200 acres of land, which was then covered with a dense forest and was a fitting abode for the wild beasts and the native braves whom civilization was slowly but surely forcing from their heritage. With characteristic industry this hardy pioneer began the battle with the forces of nature to improve and transform the wilderness into productive add fruitful fields. He accomplished his task and lived out his long life on his estate, hewn out by his own efforts from that vast wilderness, and died March 8, 1805, aged eighty-eight years. During the Revolutionary struggle Harmon Shipman aided the American cause, in many ways contributing both his time and his means and by sending four sons, William, Nicholas, John, and Christian, to the service, bidding them to fight gallantly for their country's freedom. At the close of the war the patriots found themselves so impoverished by their loyal efforts that the older sons, with their families, moved to other settlements. William and Nicholas settled in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland County, Pa., in. the spring of 1794. In 1802 their brothers, Christian and Jacob, settled in the same vicinity, and again a part of the family had been reunited. According to tradition Harmon Shipman, Sr., was first married in Germany, and his wife came with him to America. They were the parents of five children, one of whom, William, was the grandfather of our subject. Harmon Shipman, Sr., married for his second wife a Miss Howe, and they had a family of six children. William Shipman, grandfather of our subject, was born in Harmony township, Sussex County, New Jersey, June 9, 1756. He settled in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland County, Pa., in 1794; there he died June 23, 1841, and his remains were buried in the Mountain Presbyterian burial ground of that township. He married soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, settling in Lower Augusta township, where he purchased 150 acres of land, and subsequently made additional purchases until he became owner of a large acreage. He and his wife had a family of eight children, one of whom was John Shipman, father of Abraham Shipman, the subject of this sketch. John Shipman was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, October 13, 1783, and at eleven years of age accompanied his parents to Lower Augusta township, where he spent his life in the tranquil and peaceful pursuits of husbandry. He died April 8, 1850. He was united in marriage with Mary McKinney, a daughter of Abraham and Abigail McKinney. This daughter was born January 25, 1786, and died March 10, 1851. John and Mary Shipman were parents of eleven children, the eldest of whom was the late Abraham Shipman, the subject of this sketch. Abraham Shipman was united in marriage February 14, 1837, with Elizabeth Yoxtheimer, by whom he had eleven children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. All were born in Lower Augusta township and were named as follows: (1st.) Lemuel, who was born December 15, 1838. On September 27, 1860, he married Maria Bloom, daughter of William Bloom. Lemuel received an academic education in New Berlin, and early in life was employed in the saw and grist milling business by his father. October 30, 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army, in Company D, 3rd Reg., Pa. Vol. Artillery. He was promoted to second lieutenant of the same company, May 16, 1864, and served as such until the close of the war. While officer-of-the-day at Fortress Monroe he had charge of a very distinguished prisoner, no less a personage than Jeff Davis, President of the Confederate government. He was register of wills, recorder of deeds and clerk of the Orphans' Court of his native county from 1874 to 1880, and has filled other positions of trust and honor. In 1887 he removed to Lewisburg, Union County, where he was prominent in business circles. He removed to West Virginia in 1889 and followed the lumbering business; at this writing he is at Meridian, Miss., engaged in lumbering and other enterprises. (2nd.) Matilda, who was born August 19, 1840. On August 12, 1859, she married John Bloom of Lower Augusta township, now a successful farmer of Rockefeller township. (3rd.) Mark, who was born April 24, 1842, and died June 22, 1870. He enlisted in the Union Army soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, and remained in active service during the entire war, being stationed most of the time at Key West, Fla. (4th.) Saul, who was born January 4, 1844, and was married July 13, 1869, to Luanda Fasold. He also enlisted in the Civil War, served in Company C, I3ist Reg., Pa. Vol., and was discharged nine months after entering the service. On his return home he took a preparatory collegiate course at Freeburg Academy. In 1864 he engaged in teaching school, and continued to teach until 1869, when he was elected superintendent of schools of Northumberland County. He was re-elected in 1872, serving six years; was a faithful official and thoroughly posted in the duties of his office. He now resides upon a farm in Rockefeller township, engaged in agricultural pursuits and teaching. (5th.) Ruth, who was born August 6, 1845, and on October 31, 1867, became the wife of Joseph Gass, Jr., a farmer of Rockefeller township. (6th.) Ann, who was born November 25, 1847, and was married November 15, 1866, to Anthony S. Speece, who is now engaged in the powder business at Speeceville, Dauphin County, Pa. (7th.) Rebecca J., who was born December 27, 1850, and married Franklin Maberry. (8th.) Silas, born April 30, 1853, and died August 14, 1853. (9th.) Ira, whose life history will be given later. (10th.) Walter, who is also mentioned in this review. (11th.) Jefferson, who was born February 24, 1859, read law with his brother Walter, was admitted to the bar and is now a successful attorney at Mount Carmel, Pa. Ira Shipman, county superintendent of schools of Northumberland County, Pa., and resident of Sunbury, is a son of the late Judge Shipman, whose history has been given. Prof. Shipman was born in Lower Augusta township, now Rockefeller township, five miles southeast of Sunbury, May 17, 1854. His election to the position of county school superintendent recalls the coincidence of his birth with the creation of the office of county superintendent, which was established- in 1854 by an action of the State Legislature of Pennsylvania. He received his education and training in the common schools of his native township, at Freeburg- Academy, and at the Shippensburg State Normal School. He began teaching school at the age of seventeen years and followed that profession uninterruptedly for a period of twenty-two years, having taught four years in his native township and eighteen years in Sunbury. In 1893 he was elected county superintendent of schools and in 1896 was re-elected. In his young manhood he was assistant to his father, who was an expert surveyor and civil engineer, and when not otherwise engaged Prof. Shipman follows that calling now and is regarded as one of the best surveyors in the vicinity of his home. He was civil engineer of the borough of Sunbury for five years, but resigned in 1893, having been elected county superintendent. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years during his residence in Rockefeller township. Upon the death of his father he purchased the old family homestead, which he remodeled and made his place of residence for eight or ten years. Ira Shipman has an honest and just pride in the progress and development of his adopted town, and has done much to advertise the advantages of Sunbury. He is a man of fine scholarly attainments; having been the guardian of his own literary pursuits, he deserves the hearty commendation of all. In the discharge of his official duties he has the reputation of being strictly honest and impartial, and is held in high esteem by teachers and all others, who regard him as an exemplary public servant and a most thorough and deserving gentleman. In his religious views he is an adherent of the Presbyterian Church. On April 26, 1876, Prof. Shipman was united in marriage to Theresa, daughter of Solomon and Caroline (Kline) Miller of Lower Augusta, now Rockefeller, township. Unto them have, been born three children: Herbert M., deceased; Ralph; and Waldo. Walter Shipman, a successful attorney-at-law and justice of the peace of Sunbury, is also a son of the late Judge Shipman, whose family is one of the leading ones in the Seventeenth Congressional District. He was born in Lower Augusta township, August 3, 1856, and received his primary education in the public schools, which was supplemented by a course in Freeburg Academy and at Millersburg State Normal School. He also became a teacher and followed that calling for a number of years, but finally decided to enter the legal profession. After reading and studying law he was admitted to the bar and has since been actively engaged in practicing his profession in Northumberland County. In 1893 he was elected justice of the peace in Sunbury, and re-elected to the same office in 1898. He is a Democrat; his town has a Republican majority ranging from 150 to 200 votes; the fact of Mr. Shipman's election and re-election to the same office on the Democratic ticket is ample evidence of his efficiency and great popularity with the masses. April 30, 1878, Mr. Shipman took for his bride Josephine M. Coldren of Lower Augusta township, and three children have blessed their home: Lida M., born April 23, 1879, who is a graduate of the Sunbury High School, and now assists her father in his office duties; Carrie G., born July 15, 1882; and James F., born October 29, 1884. Walter Shipman is a pleasant, genial gentleman, of fine mien; a man of exalted character, and has the air of a good politician. He has been very successful in building up a lucrative law practice and his success is the just reward of concentration and perseverance. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/pafiles/ File size: 12.1 Kb