Alfred W. Shipman and his Descendants From Histories by Edna and Grace Shipman
Alfred W. Shipman, son of Thomas, was born in Kemptville, Canada, on 24
November 1842. He came to the United States, specifically South English,
Iowa, in his early youth, about 1847 when he was about 15 years old. In
July 1861 he joined Company K, Fifth Division, Iowa Volunteer Infantry and
served until March 1863. He participated in the battles of Farmington,
Booneville, Athens, Iuka, and the Seige of New Madrid Island 10.
After his discharge, he served as captain of the South English Guards. He
gathered over one thousand troops to resist a Copperhead uprising in Iowa.
He was in command of the post during what was known as the Skunk River War.
In South English, on 28 April 1864, he married Permelia Matthews, a teacher
in South English. They had eleven children. Two died in infancy. Permelia
was the daughter of Tunstal Quarles Matthews and Harriet Stone of Pleasantville,
Indiana. (See separate article on Tunstal Quarles which will be linked when
added.)
Alfred Shipman's ambition was a devoted life to ministering the sick. He
attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa and graduated
in 1867. Later he received a certificate from the University of the City of New
York to practice medicine in New York State.
He started his fifty year medical career in Sterling, Nebraska, around 1867,
where he built the first brick building to house a much needed drug store.
About 1886, he moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, where he rounded out the first
twenty-five and most rewarding years of his career. He was instrumental in
establishing the Nebraska State Medical Association and the Bellevue Medical
School where he lectured.
He was a dedicated physician. He rode horseback over the prairies, or drove
his horse and buggy in urban areas to answer calls day or night. The hour
often was dictated by the arrival of the stork which seemed to prefer night
travel. During these years his family lived on the fat of the land as farmers,
many of whom he served without fee, came bearing gifts of their choicest
products, from quarters of beef and hogs to fruits and vegetables of all kinds.
Prior to her marriage, Permelia had taught school in Sough English, Iowa and
was engaged to Alfred's friend who was killed during the Civil War. When
Alfred and Permelia's first son was born, he was named "Milo" in honor of this
friendship. With Milo in her arms and carrying Harriet, yet unborn, Permelia
and Alfred moved in a covered wagon from South English to a new home in
Sterling, Nebraska, where he set up practice. Nine of their children were born
in Sterling, and their last two children were born in Plattsmouth, where Alfred
prospered.
In Plattsmouth, Sarpy Co, NB, Permelia died on 25 Jan 1890, at the young age
of forty-eight. For three years his older daughters cared for his household and
the younger children. On 26 April 1893, he married a widow, Jennie Griffith,
she had three grown sons. One was Milton Griffith whose marriage to Alfred's
daughter, Laura, was the occasion at which he met Jennie. She had come from
the East for the wedding. Over the next few years the home gradually broke up
and the children left, some to marry, some to live with their older brothers and
sisters.
Around 1895, Dr. Shipman and Jennie moved to New York City. There he
engaged in a more routine type of medical practice. In Northport, Long Island,
he completed his fifty years of dedicated service.
Divorced from Jennie, he went to live with his daughter, Edith, and her husband
in Philadelphia, where he passed away on 14 April 1920.
Dr. Shipman was buried in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, by Permelia's side. In spite
of his absence of years, hundreds of Nebraska people who remembered him as
their family doctor flocked from miles around to the Masonic Lodge
Headquarters where he lay in state and to the cemetery where he was laid to rest.
Alfred W. Shipman, b. 14 Nov 1842, Kemptville, Canada; d. 24 Apr 1920
Philadelphia, PA. He married (1st) 28 Apr 1864 in South English, Iowa,
Permelia Matthews, b. 23 Jun 1842, Pleasant View, Ind; d. 25 Jan 1890
Plattsmouth, NB. After her death he married (2nd) 26 Apr 1893 Jennie Griffith
b.____ d._____. Children of: Alfred W. Shipman & Permelia Matthews:
Dr. Alfred Shipman had a liberal supply of daughters - seven in all. Eva May
(No info available) Harriet and Laura, the older sisters, made their homes
in the western part of the country. Their lives differed radically from those
of the younger sisters that went east. Until their marriages, Harriet and
Laura lived in Plattsmouth.
Throughout their entire lives the sisters, Edna, Edith, Alice, and Grace, kept
a close relationship as they all ventured to the east and spent most of their
lives in that section of the country.
The twins Edna and Edith, (although not identical) made the move first, then
helped the others as they soon followed.
NOTE: In the letter by Edna Shipman, the name of Eva May Shipman was
listed as the first child in the family. Grace made no mention of Eva in her
presentation. Neither Edna or Grace indicated the date of birth of William.
Milo Alfred Shipman
Milo Alfred Shipman, the first son of Alfred W. and Permelia Shipman, was
born 17 Feb 1866 in South English, Iowa. He married Ida Jane Starrett on 15
May 1890, in Central City, Hamilton Co, Nebraska. By 1893 they were in
Elsie, Perkins Co, Nebraska, where their son Milo Jr. was born. They moved
to Sidney, Nebraska, in 1900, when the Denver-Billings extension of the
Burlington Railroad was being constructed through that city. He served as agent
for the local station for thirty-two years. He was a member of the Masonic
Lodge.
Milo died in 1932 and was survived by his wife and three children, Alfred,
Marjory and Donald. At the time of his death he was eulogized as an active and
public-spirited citizen. To quote the Sidney newspaper:
He was responsible for extensive advertising of Cheyenne County as a
His connection with the Burlington Railroad, and life of service for
Milo Alfred Shipman, b. 17 Feb 1866 in South English, Neb; d. 28 Apr 1932,
Sidney, Cheyenne Co, Neb.; m. 15 May 1890 in Central City, Iowa, Ida Jane
Starrett, b. 17 Mar 1867 in Fort Wayne, Allen Co, Neb; d. 11 Dec 1955, Suisun
City, Solano Co, CA. Children of Milo Shipman and Ida Jane Starrett:
2. Marjory Kathryn Shipman, born 30 Oct 1901 in Sidney, Cheyenne
Co, Neb, married Daniel Ornon Root II an Officer in the U.S. Navy, on
29 Dec 1921, in Sidney, Cheyenne Co, Nebraska. After the Navy,
Daniel and Marjory moved to Suisun City, Ca, where he was the
superintendent of the public schools. Marjory also taught school for
several years. Their son Daniel Ornon Root III, was born in Evanstan,
Vinta Co, Wy on 15 Dec 1925. Daniel Ornon Root II died 7 Mar 1963
in Suisun City, Solano Co, Ca and Marjory Kathryn (Shipman) Root
died 16 Sep 1964 in Fairfield, Solano Co, Ca. (We will have a full
history on Daniel Ornon Root II in the near future.) Both Marjory and
Daniel lived their last years in Solano County and were very active here.
There are three generation of this family still residing in Solano County.
3. Donald Shipman and his wife Fern live in Sidney, Neb, where he was
postmaster for several years. They have three Children, Donald, Jr.,
Kathleen and Jimmie. The latter is a gifted musician. (No other
information is available on this family at this time.)
Charles (b. 1870, d. 1950), and George (b. 1881, d. 1954) Shipman, his younger
brother, were inseparable throughout their lives. Charles (never married), lame
since childhood, was slender and fair like his mother. George, in his mature
years, strongly resembled his father in appearance and nature.
Both Charles and George chose the same profession. As optometrists they lived
in Hutchinson, Kansas for many years. They set up practice using "Shipman
Bros" as the name of their business. They developed a wide following
throughout Kansas and a very prosperous business. George married a widow,
Lottie Andrews, who had several grown children. George was very devoted to
his stepchildren, who in turn loved, honored him and called him "father". The
children and their offspring greatly enriched his life. "Uncle Charlie", who was
unmarried, also was dear to them. Charles died in 1950.
After his wife, Lottie's death, George remarried. He died shortly thereafter in
1954. His second wife inherited his worldly goods, but it was his devoted
stepchildren who had him laid at rest beside his beloved Lottie.
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