Obituary: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Capt. D.P. MAPES ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, June 2004 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Daily Northwestern May 17, 1890 Capt. Mapes' Death It occurs at Winneconne One of the founders of the Republican party Dies at the Age of Ninety-two Years Winneconne, Wis., May 17- Capt. D.P. Mapes of this city died last night after an illness of but a few hours. He was born in New York January 10, 1798, his being in his ninety-third year when he died. He was the oldest member of the Masonic lodge in the states. He was known as the found of Ripon college and was prominent in the early history of the city of Ripon. When the St. Paul railroad was extended from Ripon Captain Mapes came to Winneconne and "started a new city." The St. Paul gave him a life pass for his services. Captain Mapes was the author of a book called "The History of Ripon," and has a work in manuscript bearing his autograph. The funeral will take place Tuesday, May 20, at Ripon, where Captain Mapes has a daughter. It is said that his autobiography will be published and will contain his observations upon his long and eventful life. Captain Mapes lived at Coxackee, N.Y., where he was born, until 1818, when he emigrated to Delaware county. In 1831 he presented that county in the legislature, and at the time of his death was the oldest living ex-member of that body. He went into the lumber trade in Carbondale, Pa., the same year, continuing until 1836. From 1837 he was the captain and owner of a steam boat line on the Hudson river until 1844 then emigrating to Wisconsin. He was a prominent politician wherever known and always took an active part in the councils and campaigns of the Democratic party. He was one of the presidential electors in 1848. In 1838, Nov. 5, the principal portion of Ripon (not including Ceresco plat) was bid off by John S. Horner, at the public land sale at Green Bay. The patent was issued Oct. 2, 1840, to Mary E. Watson, of Washington, as assignee. April 28, 1849, Mr. Horner as attorned for M.E. Watson transferred the land to Mr. Mapes, and in the same spring he and his sons struck the blows for the foundation of Ripon. He put up a hotel and grist mill the first year, at a cost of $10,000. He gave away lots to induce settler to locate, the first one to receive a lot being E.L. Northrup, who opened the first store on the east side of Public Square. In 1850, Capt. Mapes made up his mind that Ripon should have superior educational advantages and to that end set about circulating a subscription paper. With the help of half a dozen men he built "Brockway" College at a time when there "was little property and less money" and when wheat was refused on accounts at twenty-five cents a bushel. It was a superhuman task, but the "old captain's" pluck and energy was equal to it. He was the projector of the Winneconne and Oshkosh lines of railroad. For seventy years Captain Mapes was a free Mason. He was recognized also as one of the founder of the Republican party. Daily Northwestern May 21, 1890 Funeral of Captain Mapes Ripon, Wis., May 21- The funeral of Captain D.P. Mapes, which was held in this city yesterday, was the longest that has taken place here in many years. The old settlers especially were in attendance. The ceremonies were under the auspices of the Ripon lodge of Free Masons. The whole lodge, numbering 100, were in line, together with some forty brethren from Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Berlin, Waupun, Brandon, Winneconne and Omro. The Rev. E.H. Merrell, president of Ripoon college, and Past Grand Master L.E. Reed, pronounced eloquent eulogies upon the life and prominent characteristics of the deceased.