Frank Riplinger (1843-1925)
"Civil War Vet, Dies of Old Age"

Frank Riplinger Passed Away at the Home of His Daughter

Frank Riplinger, Civil War veteran and one of the pioneer settlers of this section, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fred Zassenhaus, in the town of Colby, on Friday, June 19th, 1925, at 6:30 pm, the ravages of old age being the cause of his demise.

Frank Riplinger was born on November 16, 1843, near Trior, Elsace-Lorraine, and came to America with an uncle at the age of 13, landing at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he took up the trade of a shoe maker. He became very adept at his chosen trade, and was making good headway when he decided that his services were needed in the great Civil War, and accordingly enlisted in Company E., 14th Wisconsin Vol. Infantry, at Carlton, Kewaunee county, on March 5th, 1864. After joining the Union Army he experienced some of the service, participating in several important engagements and minor battles, and was one of those who went with General Sherman in the famous 'March to the Sea.' He was mustered out of service at Mobile, Alabama, on October 9, 1865.
After leaving the army he returned to Manitowoc County where he again took up the trade at Schoolhill. On January 9, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Katherina Schill, of Schoolhill, and in the fall of the year 1875, he and his wife decided to take a chance in the new country of Upper Wisconsin which was being opened up for settlers. After working his trade for a short time in the little settlement here at Colby in that early day, he took up a homestead in the Town of Hull in the vicinity of Cherokee. After a struggle of several years on the homestead to make a living they moved into the village and Mr. Riplinger became interested in a planing mill establishment which was erected on the site where the old electric power-house now stands. Several years later he engaged in the furniture business which he conducted for quite a number of years.

When the Soo railway took over the interests of the Central Wisconsin Railroad, Mr. Riplinger conceived the idea that the place which went by the name "Osborne" on the new cut-off between Spencer and Owen, would be a good place to start a business. Accordingly, he and his two sons, Fred and Ben, went to this place and opened up a general store. This was nearly thirteen years ago, and at this time there exists a thriving little village called "Riplinger" named after him, and his sons, who started with him and will continue in the hardware and implement business which he helped them to build.

Mr. Riplinger was a man who was well thought of by all of his acquaintances, and when he once made a friend it was always a friend. All of the older citizens of this community who knew him realize his worth as a kind husband and father. For many years he was handicapped with a failing eyesight and during the past several years he has been totally blind. Nevertheless, he carried uncomplainingly and his ambitions never ceased until the hand of time claimed him for its own.
He is survived by two sons, three having died previously, Fred and Benjamin F., of Riplinger, and two daughters, Mrs. Angus (Katherine) Lamont and Mrs. Fred (Anne) Zassenhaus, of Colby one brother John, of Portland, Oregon, two sisters, Mrs. Ben Dietsche of Veefkind, Clark County, and Mrs. Jake Hanson of Portland, Oregon.

The funeral was held yesterday afternoon, (June 24), from the St. Mary's Catholic Church in this city, Rev. H. Lachnit officiating and his remains were laid to rest in the catholic cemetery beside those of his wife who preceded him in death on April 12, 1889. The large number of beautiful offerings and the long funeral procession is testimony of the esteem in which he was held in the community in which he lived for fifty years.