Biography - Gilford Pippins
GILFORD PIPPINS, a veteran of the late war, in which he won an honorable military record, and now engaged in farming in Bloomfield Township, was born in Marshall County, Ky., in 1843. His father, whose name was the same as his own, was, so far as known, a life-long resident of Kentucky, his death occurring while he was in the prime of manhood, when our subject was but two years old. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Mosely. By his untimely death she was left a widow with thirteen children, and in very limited circumstances. Soon after his death she removed with her family to this State, and after a residence of ten years in Union County, came to this county and spent her remaining days here.
Our subject commenced when very young to make his own way in the world. At the first call for troops to enlist for three years after the breaking out of the war, he volunteered, and went to the front as a member of Company I, Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry. Early in 1864 he veteranized, and being given a furlough took advantage of it to get married. Returning then to his regiment he served with unswerving fidelity until after the close of the war. Among the more important of the many battles in which he took part we mention the following: Shiloh, Ft. Donelson, siege and capture of Vicksburg, Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakely. He was honorably discharged with his regiment after peace was declared, returned home and commenced farming on rented land. A short time afterward he bought forty acres in Bloomfield Township, occupied that a few years, and then moved to Grantsburg, where he bought a tract of land, and resided until 1880, when he purchased property near Sanburn, in Bloomfield Township. He lived there until 1887, and then bought the farm that he now occupies, in the same township, which is pleasantly situated a mile and a-half from Vienna. This farm contains one hundred and sixty acres, over one-half being cultivated.
Our subject was first married in 1864 to Miss Martha Clymer, daughter of John C. and Sarah (Shires) Clymer. She died in June, 1872, leaving the following children: Mary Frances, David, and John W., deceased. Mr. Pippins was again married, in 1873, this time to Miss Jane Porter. Mrs. Pippins was born in Vienna Township December 24, 1848. Her father, Jesse L. Porter, was born in Rowan County, N. C, and was a son of Lawrence Porter, who was of English birth, and came to this country when a young man. He was married in North Carolina to Elizabeth Parks, a native of the State, and a daughter of Noah and Martha Parks. He reared his family in North Carolina, whence he came to Illinois in 1847. He settled in this county, buying a tract of timber land in Vienna Township, and cleared a productive farm, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining years.
Mrs. Pippins' father accompanied his parents to their new home in this county, the removal being made with teams, and soon after coming here he was married and for a time rented land. He then settled on a tract of timber land in Pulaski County that his father gave him. A year and a-half later he returned to Johnson County, and now lives near the village of Vienna. His wife, whose maiden name was Melvina Standard, was born in Vienna Township, a daughter of John and Priscilla (Mercer) Standard. John Standard was born in Kentucky, and was a son of Thomas and Nancy Standard. He was one of the pioneers of this county, but his last years were passed in Jonesboro, Union County. His wife was a native of Tennessee, and was a daughter of Hezekiah Mercer. He was born in South Carolina, and married Temperance West. They came to Johnson County at an early day, and lived here their remaining years. Mrs. Pippins' grandmother died at Anna, Union County.
Mr. and Mrs. Pippins are worthy members of the Christian Church. They have eight children living: Ada, Ella, Laura, James, Melvina, Jesse, Viola and Cora. Mr. Pippins is a man of excellent rerepute, and is well regarded by his neighbors and his fellow-members of Vienna Post No. 221, G. A. R.; and of Lodge No. 617, I. O. O. F.
Extracted 05 May 2016 by Norma Hass from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 254-257
