My Genealogy Hound

EUGENE H. SHIPMAN, Civil Engineer. This prominent resident of South Bethlehem is a graduate of Lehigh University, and is at present holding the responsible position of Borough Engineer. He was born in Clinton, Hunterdon County, N. J., March 18, 1863, and is the son of Capt. William M. Shipman, a native of Warren County, that state, who in turn was a son of David Shipman. The latter was also born in Warren County, where he carried on farming and spent his entire life. The Shipman family can trace its ancestry back to the year 1258 in England, to Sir Abraham Shipman, who was knighted by Henry IV.

William M. Shipman was a prominent merchant in Clinton, N. J., where he was residing in 1862, when appointed by Governor Olden Captain of volunteers in the United States service. After the close of the war he resumed business in New Jersey, and lived there until his decease, July 3, 1880, when fifty-two years of age. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and a most honored and honorable gentleman. The lady whom he married was Miss Samantha, daughter of Moore Furman, a native of New Jersey, and who was employed on the Morris Canal many years. Mr. Furman later removed to the city of Scranton, this state, and became one of the founders of that city. He afterward changed his location to Bloomsburg, where he died.

Eugene H. was reared in Clinton, N. J., and when old enough earned his own money by clerking in a store. In 1880 he went with the engineering corps of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad from Binghamton to Buffalo, and four years later entered Lehigh University, taking a special course in civil engineering. In 1888 he graduated, being historian of his class. Coming to South Bethlehem immediately after leaving the University, he opened an office, and the following year was elected Borough Engineer by the Council. On the expiration of his term he was re-elected, and has continued to hold that important position ever since, giving entire satisfaction to all concerned. In politics he is a Democrat, and is classed among the influential members of that party in his community.