Chipman, Joseph N.

Joseph N. Chipman
September 18, 1803-November 14, 1870

Niles Republican, Thursday, November 17,1870, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

    At his residence in this city, on Monday, Nov. 14th, 1870, of congestion of the bowel, Joseph N. Chipman, age sixty-siven years, one month, and twenty-seven days.
    JOSEPH NATHAN CHIPMAN was descended from one of the oldest families of Vermont--a family which included some of the most distinguished lawyers of that State. He was born in Shoreham, near Lake Champlain, Sept. 18, 180.  His boyhood was passed principally in the pursuits of the farm.  He was graduated at Middlebury College with the class of 1829, persisting in his collegiate course through very serious illness, which doubtless sowed the seeds of the disease which brought him to the grave. He afterwards read law with Judge Shepard, of Knox county, New York and others; and was admitted to the bar in Middlebury, where he practiced with success for some time.  In 1834, he came to the West, and settled in Niles for the practice of his profession . Here he speedily commanded a large and profitable business, being one of the first lawyers to locate in this part of Michigan.  Two years thereafter, during a vist to his old home, he received his second degree from Middlebury College.  The next year he was married to Miss Anna Wilson, daughter of Robert Wilson, an old resident of this place--the faithful consort who survives Him.  In 1844 he was elected to the State Senate, the legislature at that time sitting in Detroit, and holding some of the most important sessions of its history.  A year afterwards, his health failed under the multiplied labors of his business, and he removed to a  farm near Barron Lake, in Cass county.  He was soon chosen to the position of County Judge under the old system of "able judges," who sat with the judicial officer of the circuit for the hearing of causes.  In the spring of 1849 he undertook the toilsome overland journey to California, and there engaged in mining.  He was absent about two years and a half, when he revisited his home here, and went back to the Pacific coast in 1853.  He was there elected as the first Mayor of Nevada City.  After a year's absence he finally returned to Niles and re-entered the legal profession.  For a time, however, he traveled in the South, as an agent of the Bible Union.  The remainder of his life was spent continuously in this city.  He here served the public for a number of years as Justice of the Peace and Circuit Court Commissioner--at the date of his death holding both offices, and having just received a re-election to the latter post.
    In the decease of Judge Chipman the community has lost a valuable citizen, the bar one of their most honored associates, and his family a most kind and indulgent husband and father.  he was a positive character.  WHat he knew, he knew well; what he saw, he saw clearly; what he believed, he believed thoroughly.  His decisions were careful yet lucid and unambiguous; and he was esteemed one of the most impartial and correct justices Southwestern Michigan.  His information was large, his experience of men and affairs varied and wide. Yet he was singularly modest and unobtrusive, always sensitive to the public mention of his name.  Had he been otherwise, he might have risen to some of the most distinguished positions in the State.  Early in life he made a public profession of religion and remained steadfast in the Christian faith to the end.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, November 19, 1870, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Libary

    Joseph N. Chipman died at his residence in this city, on last Monday evening, the 14th inst., after a short but severe sickness.  The announcement of his death startled the community by its unexpectedness, and was received with deep regret.  The deceased was born on the 18th of September, 1803, in Shoreham, Vermont, being at the time of his death, sixty-seven years, one month and twenty-seven days old.  He came to Niles in 1836, and has thus been a citizen of his place nearly thiry-five years.  In all the relations of life he has been highly esteemed, and a most exemplary citizen. For many years past he had been an acting justice of the peace in this city, and at the late election was re-elected Circuit Court Commissioner of Berrien county, a position which he had occupied for some time. His burial took place on Wednesday afternon, from his late residence, and a large circle of relatives, and a great concourse of friends and acquaintances attended the services--realizing keenly the loss of a kind and affectionate father and husband and brother, and an estimable and Christian citizen. A residence of Thirty-five years makes the death of the deceased the departure of one whose memory will not soon fade from the minds of those who with him have grown up to mature life with the growth of our city.  As these citizens of many years pass away, like the few lingering swallows of the autumnal days, we would recall their many labors and many virtues, and as we say a sad farewell, we would also add--
"The sweet remembrance of the just
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust."

* * *

    Died, at his residence, in this city, last Monday morning, the 14th inst., Hon. JOSEPH N. CHIPMAN, in the 68th year of his age. His death resulted from a complication of chronic diseases of long standing.
    The sentiment of this beautiful and touching hymn, a part of his funeral services, was realized with painful consciousness by all who were present on that occasion, and indeed by our whole community.  Although it was generally known that Judge Chipman had been for a long time in infirm health, yet comparatively few were aware that he was in any immediate danger.  To the early settlers especially, this sad dispensation of Providence proved a forcible reminder that one by one our numbers were being rapidly diminished.  The Judge came to Niles in 1836, with the reputation of being a fine scholar and an accomplished lawyer. He almost at once succeeded in establishing himself in a large practice, and in securing the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.  During his long residence in Niles he had received from the people many evidences fo their confidence and appreciation of his merits.  He had at different times been elected to the various offices of Judge of the County Court, Senator in the State Legislature, Justice of the Peace, Circuity Court Commissioner for Berien county, and to his last office he had just been re-elected only a few days before his death.
    Judge Chipman was a graduate of Middlebury College, Vermont, studied law with Judge Shephard, and practised his profession several years in Middlebury before coming West.
    His influence was always exerted in behalf of morality and religion.  For many years he was a prominent member of the Baptist Church in this city, and at one time he seriously contemplated devoting himself to the work of the ministry. He frequently, while the Church was without a pastor, occupied the pulpit, and preached with much acceptance to the congregation.  Dignified in appearance and rather reserved in his intercourse with strangers, yet amongst his intimate friends, free, social and genial.  His chief enjoyment, however, and where he shone to the greatest advantage, was in the bosom of his family; always kind, sympathizing and devoted to the promotion of their happiness, his death has left a void that can never be filled.  J.K.F.