BIOS: The SIPE Family, Somerset County, PA

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History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania; Bedford County by E. 
Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis 
Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 74

The SIPE Family.

The Sipe family is an old one in Somerset county, as well as in Maryland.  This 
sketch begins with the American founder. 
(I) Peter Sipe is a native of Germany, who came to America in 1783 and settled 
in what is now Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and in Summit township, as the 
county is now divided.  He was a farmer of the good-fashioned, true and sturdy 
type.  He married Barbara Troyer, by whom were born these children: Christian, 
Peter, Jacob, Michael, Andrew, Catharine, Marie, Martha and Fanny. 
(II) Michael Sipe, son of the founder, Peter (I), was born in Meyersdale, 
Pennsylvania, March 28, 1795, died October 22, 1885, aged ninety years, six 
months and twenty-five days.  He became a carpenter, and was also an extensive 
farmer.  In 1816 he located in Somerset township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, 
and from 1843 to 1853 was engaged in merchandising.  He married Susannah Betz, 
born June 25, 1796, died February 20, 1885, aged eighty-eight years, seven 
months and twenty-three days.  The children born of this union were: Lavina, 
wife of Mr. Kring; Henry, Christian, Michael, Moses, John A., Lydia, Peter, see 
forward; Susan, Mary A., Diana, wife of Mr. Mason; and Harriet. 
(III) Peter Sipe, son of Michael and Susanna (Betz) Sipe (2), was born January 
12, 1831, at Sipesville, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and died October 11, 
1904.  He was a general merchant from 1853 to 1888, when he sold his store to 
his two sons, H. L. and W. P. Sipe, having been in trade over thirty-five years.  
He also had several farms, which had mostly been disposed of before his death.  
Politically he was of the Democratic party, and was a devout member of the 
German Reformed church.  He held numerous township offices, and was appointed 
county auditor.  He held membership with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, 
Sipesville.  He married Elizabeth Bell, daughter of David and Sarah (Mickey) 
Bell, by whom were born seven children: Tilla J., born July 11, 1856, married S. 
M. Wendel; Mary A., May 11, 1857, married John W. Shaffer; Harry L., February 
10, 1859,married Martha B. Spangle; Lydia O., July 23, 1861, married L. H. 
Stern; William Peter, August 25, 1863, married Lilly Shaffer; Sadie B., August 
16, 1866, married E. E. Pritts.  The mother of these children was born October 
6, 1832, and died April 24, 1904. 
(IV) Harry L. Sipe, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Bell) Sipe (3), born February 
10, 1859, had the advantage of but a limited common school education, was put to 
work when very young, never attending school after thirteen years of age.  He 
assisted his father and when old enough sought employment in the Somerset dairy, 
where he worked for eight years, when he with his brother, William P., purchased 
their father's general store at Sipesville.  He continued there for five years 
and came to Somerset borough, where he opened a general merchandise store, which 
he operated from 1893 to 1905.  He then opened a wholesale tobacco and cigar 
store in Somerset. 
In September, 1900, Mr. Sipe organized the Farmers' National Bank of Somerset, 
and has served as its president ever since.  The bank building they now occupy 
was purchased in 1902.  In addition to his home business operations, Mr. Sipe is 
a stockholder in the Federal National Bank of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; also in 
the Iron City Trust Company of the same city.  He served for many years, and is 
still serving, as an auctioneer for large public sales.  Up to the William 
Jennings Bryan free silver campaign, Mr. Sipe always voted the Democratic 
ticket, but since that date has supported the Republican party.  In his church 
relations, he is a member of the German Reformed church at Somerset.  He is at 
present the president of the town council of Somerset.  He is a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America, Lodge No. 458, and is their Banker.  He is also 
treasurer of the Somerset Door Column Company, being one of the original 
stockholders and organizers. 
Mr. Sipe was married, December 6, 1877, to Martha B. Spangler, daughter of 
George and Rosa Spangler, of Friedens, Pennsylvania.  George Spangler was born 
September 11, 1831, and served the Union army in the Civil war days as a member 
of the One Hundred Thirty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers.  He died January 29, 
1905.  Mrs. Spangler was born September 27, 1836, and is still living.  The 
children born to Mr. And Mrs. Harry L. Sipe are: Lawrence E., born September 14, 
1878, married Alice Cook; Ira Preston, November 30, 1879; Nellie A., March 22, 
1881, married Robert S. Meyers, of Berlin, Pennsylvania; Alpha S., August 16, 
1886, married Lola P. McGeary, November 2, 1905; Walter V., October 11, 1888.  
Mr. Sipe's two eldest sons were permitted to visit their great-great-
grandfather, Philip Shaver, of Listie, when small boys.  He died in 1879, aged 
ninety-two years.  He settled in Somerset county in 1805, coming from Maryland.