JAMES WHIPPS.-A practical and skilful farmer, James Whipps, of Haddon township, is an able representative of the horticultural and agricultural interests of Sullivan county. His highly improved farm, lying south of Carlisle, contains the site of old Fort Haddon, the fort itself having been located very near the house in which Mr. Whipps lives. A son of Reuben Whipps, he was born, October 9, 1853, in Perry county, Ohio, of Irish ancestry. His grandfather Whipps emigrated from Ireland to this country, bringing with him his wife and children, locating in Perry county, Ohio, where he was engaged in tilling the soil until his death.
Born in Ireland, in September, 1812, Reuben Whipps came with the family to the United States, assisted his father in establishing a home in Perry county, Ohio, and there resided during the earlier years of his life. Coming from there to Sullivan county, Indiana, he located in Haddon township on April 7, 1857. Buying land just cast of Carlisle, he improved a good homestead, and as a tiller of the soil met with signal success, at the time of his death, which occurred February 6, 1886, being owner of three hundred and twenty-seven acres of valuable land. He was a Jacksonian Democrat in politics, and an earnest supporter of the principles of his party. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Welch. She was born in Ireland. January 10, 1822, a daughter of George Welch, who came to this country with his family, and settled ill Ohio, living first in Harrison county, but spending the later years of his life in Perry county. Six children were born of their union, namely: William and George residing in California; John, a farmer; Thomas, deceased; James, of this sketch; and Mary Ann, wife of Dudley Willis, of California.
Brought up on the home farm, James Whipps received his early education in the district schools, which he attended in the long winter terms, laboring on the farm during seed time and harvest. He remained beneath the parental roof until thirty years of age, when he moved to the farm which he now owns and occupies, but which was then owned by his father. Continuing the improvements already begun on the place, Mr. Whipps has now a valuable farm of ninety-two acres, its land being highly cultivated, and one of the most productive in the vicinity. Here he is raising both grain and stock, and for the past eight years has made a specialty of raising potatoes and strawberries for "the home market, doing an extensive and lucrative business in this branch of industry. He raises fine varieties of strawberries, having the Warfield, Haviland, Sample, Excelsior, and Senator Dunlap, all of which are especially fine, being pleasing to the eye and of particularly rich flavor.
On October 9, 1883, Mr. Whipps married Margaret McClure, who was born in Knox county, Indiana, August 6, 1858, and was there educated. After completing a course at the Bruceville Normal School, she taught four years in Knox county, being a teacher in the public schools of Oaktown for a year. Her parents, Hiram and Rosella (Wilson) McClure, spent their lives in Knox county, being farmers. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whipps, namely: Chellis O., born January 19, 1885, was graduated from the Carlisle high school with the class of 1905, and is now assisting his father on the home farm; and Clara E., born March 17, 1888, was graduated from the Carlisle high school with the class of 1906. True to the political faith in which he was reared, Mr. Whipps is an uncompromising Democrat. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the Carlisle lodges of both organizations. He and his wife and their son and daughter are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church.