Biographical Sketch of

Theodore Chipman

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 825 - 826 - 827


Theodore S. Chipman, County Superintendent of schools of Waushara County, who resides on section 5, in the town 
of Warren, is a native of Michigan.  He was born in Southfield, April 24, 1839, and is of English and German 
extraction.  His father was William Fitch Chipman and his grandfather was Dr. Cyrus Chipman.  The family was 
founded in America by emigrants who crossed the Atlantic in the "Mayflower."  Dr. Chipman was a native of Vermont,
but during his early manhood removed to Detroit, Mich., where he engaged in practice until his death.  He had 
several brothers, viz.:  Nathaniel, Lemuel, Darius, Samuel and Daniel, who were prominently connected with the 
early history of Vermont.  Nathaniel and Daniel were both eminent attorneys, the former being the author of 
"Principles of Government," while Daniel was the author of "Chipman on Contracts" and "Lives of Chittenden and 
Warner."  The Doctor became one of the prominent physicians of Michigan.  His wife was Miss Annie Fitch, daughter 
of Hon. William Fitch, of Vermont.
 
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Orange Stoddard, was a native of New York, and his greatgrandfather served 
as Brigadier General in the War of Independence.
 
William Fitch Chipman, the father of our subject, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., and when twelve years of age 
accompanied his parents to Detroit, Mich.  After arriving at years of maturity he embarked in the grocery business, 
which he continued until 1847, when he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and for two years, during the winter seasons, engaged 
with the firm of Miller & Cushman, grain brokers.  He devoted his time in the summer months to the agency of various 
steamboat lines.  On the 24th of April, 1849, he removed to Berlin then a small hamlet on the Fox River, known as 
Strong's Landing, and from that time until the 9th of May following, assisted in opening a road through the forest 
from Berlin to Wautoma, which is called the south road to Wautoma, and is the principal thoroughfare to that place.  
Changing his occupation, on the 9th of May, 1849, he removed with his family to Warren Township, Waushara County, 
and entered a tract of 160 acres of land on section 5.  It was the first claim made between Willow Creek and Waupaca.  
He there settled when the country was only inhabited by the wily Indians, the Winnebagoes and Menomonees, and amid 
the toil and many privations incident to the early settling of a new country, he lived the life of a farmer, his 
efforts being crowned with prosperity, until 1868, when he removed to Berlin, where the succeeding twenty years of 
his life were passed.  Returning to the old homestead, he there spent the remainder of his days in peace and quiet, 
dying in January, 1889, at the residence of his son, Leroy W.  Mr. Chipman was always aggressive in political matters, 
affiliating with the Republican party from its organization.  In 1856, he represented in the Lower House of the 
Legislature, the district composed of Marquette, Green Lake and Waushara Counties, being the first elected to that 
office from the last named county, and was the author of the bill granting a charter to the city of Berlin.  He also 
served as Justice of the Peace and was Supervisor of his township for many years.
 
The wife of William Fitch Chipman was in her maidenhood Miss Betsey Stoddard, a granddaughter of Gen. Orange Stoddard.  
She was a native of Broome County, N. Y., and by their union were born three sons and a daughter--Theodore S., Albion 
R., Leroy W. and Amelia B.  In the spring of 1862, Albion enlisted in the 32nd Wisconsin Infantry, as a member of Company 
C, but was afterwards transferred to another company of the same regiment.  He was killed in April, 1865, at Rivers 
Bridges, during Sherman's advance from Atlanta, Ga., to Richmond, Va.  Leroy W. enlisted in Company I, of the 11th 
Wisconsin Regiment, on the 1st of October, 1861, and in the spring of 1864, was transferred to the 23d Wisconsin 
Infantry, with which regiment he participated in the Red River campaign, after which he again became a member of 
the 11th Wisconsin, with which he remained until his discharge at Madison, Jan. 7, 1865.  He participated in the 
battles of Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion Hills, Big Black River, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, the battle 
of Sabine Cross Roads and Cone River.  Amelia B., who married Frank M. Wood, was the first white child born in 
Waushara County, and was the only daughter of the family.
 
On the 24th of April, 1849, Theodore Chipman, whose name heads this sketch, accompanied his parents to Waushara County 
and shared with them the hardships and privations of pioneer life, in the meantime acquiring sufficient education to 
teach school.  He was not permitted to attend the public school to any great extent, but "burning the midnight oil" 
he would peruse the text books until he had fitted himself for the profession above mentioned.  At the age of eighteen, 
he taught his first school in the Centerville district and in his twenty-first year he entered the Berlin High School, 
which he attended two years.  Before he had completed his course, the war broke out, and he laid aside his books to 
enter the army, enlisting in October, 1861, as a member of Company I, 11th Wisconsin Infantry.  Shortly afterward, 
he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and after the charge on Vicksburg was made First Sergeant on account of 
bravery displayed.  In the spring of 1864, he was transferred to the 23d Wisconsin Infantry, and soon afterward 
appointed to the United States Free Military School at Philadelphia, where he soon completed the course and then 
went before the board of examiners at Washington, of which Gen. Silas Casey was President, and passed a successful 
examination for First Lieutenant.  He immediately afterward joined his first company and was detailed recorder for 
a general Court Martial of his command, in which capacity he continued to serve until Oct. 17, 1864.  He was discharged 
at Madison, Jan. 17, 1865, but on the 15th of March following re-enlisted in the 52nd Regiment, remaining in camp until 
April 5, when he was commissioned First Lieutenant of the 8th United States Colored Heavy Artillery.  He joined the 
regiment at Paducah, Ky., from which point, he accompanied his command to Washington, D. C., taking part in the 
funeral services of President Lincoln.  From there he transferred his troops by the way of Richmond to City Point, 
where he was stationed until July 1, when he joined Sheridan's expedition to Texas, remaining in that State until 
Feb. 10, 1866, when he was ordered to Louisville, Ky., and with his regiment was honorably discharged on the 13th 
of March, 1866, having served his country for four years and a half.  He was severely injured by a fall from the 
upper deck on an ocean steamer while doing guard duty at Cape Lookout and from the effects of the fall has never 
recovered.  He participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion Hills, Big Black River, siege of 
Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, Ft. Esperanza, Sabine Cross Roads and several other minor engagements and skirmishes.
 
Returning to his home in Waushara County, Mr. Chipman taught school for a brief period and in 1867, was appointed 
County Superintendent by John G. McMinn, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, to fill a vacancy caused by 
the resignation of John Austin, but was previously elected for a full term and such was the general satisfaction 
that he was re-elected for four successive terms.  From 1875 until 1887 he devoted his time to his farm and school 
duties.  He was again appointed County Superintendent to fill the unexpired term of Eugene Monroe, and in 1888 was 
once more elected to the office that he had so creditably filled in former years and is the present incumbent.  
He has been Township Clerk since 1869 and for six years was Justice of the Peace.  In politics he is a Republican
but conservative in his views.
 
On the 11th of November, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Adeline Borst, a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., 
and a daughter of Daniel and Lavina (Blee) Borst, both of whom were natives of Schoharie County, N. Y.  Of their 
union were born four children--Altie B., Grace, Ray W. and Earl F., all are living.  Mr. Chipmin owns a farm of 180 
acres, ninety of which is suitable for agricultural purposes, the remainder being adapted to stock raising.  He is 
a member of Wautoma Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M.; is Commander of Edwin Saxes Post, No 185 G. A. R., and since 1873, 
has been Secretary of the Old Settlers' Society of this county, which was organized Jan. 28, 1871.
 
Mr. Chipman is purely a self-educated and self-made man.  During his early life his father's resources were such that 
he was compelled to remain on the farm, thus depriving him of the advantage of instruction except a few months in the 
district schools, but by close and continued application to his books with inflexible will and a firm determination to 
excel, he has succeeded in becoming one of the best educators in Central Wisconsin.  He is a profound thinker, a logical 
reasoner and a man of whose citizenship any community of our country might well be proud.  His residence in this county 
has been of longer duration than any of its citizens, and the Chipman family has been so prominently identified with its 
history that this record would be incomplete without this sketch though brief it may be.
 





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