My Genealogy Hound

STRIPE, W. C., Secretary and Engineer of the Keokuk Water Works; born in Woolwich, Eng., Jan. 18, 1812; came to Ft. Madison, Iowa, in 1840; Mr. S. was associate editor of the Lee Co. Democrat for about two years; afterward, he was engaged in hotel keeping in Ft. Madison and Keokuk for several years; in 1852, he and James L. Estes took charge of the sale of Hon. Charles Mason’s lands, which comprised 40/100 of what was known as the “Half-Breed Tract.” Upon the adoption of the Internal Revenue Law, Mr. Stripe was appointed Assistant United States Internal Revenue Assessor, which position he held until the office was abolished; for four years he was employed by the Government as Clerk and Assistant Engineer in the construction of the Canal, for the improvement of the Des Moines Rapids; afterward originated, planned and superintended the construction of the present system of water works at Keokuk, which he completed in about ten months after the commencement of the work. Mr. Stripe’s first wife was Eliza Payne; she died in July, 1842; they had four children, none of whom are now living; his second wife was Ellen Anderson; she died in 1851; they had three children, only one now living — William A., a resident engineer of the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railway Co. Present wife was Eliza Anderson, a native of Tennessee; they have had ten children — three deceased; the living are Frederick H., Iowa O., George M., Frank and Lyda (twins), Mary and Harry.