manufacturer of cigars and tobacco in the city of Flint, was born in Bremen, Germany, May 24, 1842. His father, John D. L. H. Rippe, was also a native of Bremen, where the paternal grandfather engaged as a farmer. John Rippe never crossed the ocean, but spent his entire life in the city of his birth, where he was in the hotel business until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-five years. In his religious belief he was a Lutheran, and a man of generous principles and upright life. The mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Kellenbeck, came from her native city, Bremen, to the United States many years ago, and died in New Orleans.
Of the seven children who were born to the parents of our subject, two are living: Henry resides in Minneapolis, Minn., where he is engaged as a dealer in musical instruments, and is the leader of a band in that city. Christian Rippe, who forms the subject of this biographical notice, was reared in Bremen, and at the age of fifteen years, having received a good common-school education in his native place, he sailed as a cabin boy in the sailing-vessel "Tusnalda." While serving in this capacity he visited many foreign ports, and among them were Bombay and the harbors of the East Indies, thence back to Port au Prince and the West Indies. The voyage occupied two and one-half years.
Upon returning to Bremen, Germany, Mr Rippe was apprenticed to learn the cigar-maker's trade, and was thus occupied for two years, afterward doing journeyman work in Bremen. In October, 1865, he left there on the sailing-vessel "Hanca" which landed in New York, November 18, 1865. Immediately after reaching New York City, Mr Rippe entered into business as a cigar-maker, and was occupied in this way for eighteen months, thence proceeded to Philadelphia, where he sojourned one year. We next find him in the Empire State, where he successfully followed his trade two and one-half years in New York, and seven years in Troy. In Syracuse, the same State, he engaged at his trade and operated a grocery store for some time, until he came West to Michigan in 1878.
In Michigan, Mr Rippe remained for a time in Detroit, thence proceeded to Minneapolis, later to St Louis, and from there back to Detroit, where he followed his trade three years. The year 1882 marked his arrival in Flint, where he has resided since. For there years he was in the employ of others, but in 1885 he embarked in business for himself as a manufacturer of cigars and tobaccos. In cigars he makes the very best brands, such as "Doctor's Regalia," "Long Tom," "Doctor's Fife," and sells tobaccos both wholesale and retail. Since establishing himself in business here he has become known as one of the shrewdest business men of the city as well as a capable financier, and has accumulated a competency through is untiring efforts.
In 1879, in Syracuse, N.Y., Mr Rippe was united in married with Mrs Louisa (Hauf) Baker, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Mrs Rippe had by her former marriage three children, namely: George, who is a cigar-maker in Detroit; Lena and Charles, who reside with their mother. Three children have blessed the union of Mr and Mrs Rippe -- Frederick, Pearl, and Arthur, deceased. Socially Mr Rippe is identified with Friendship Lodge, I.O.O.F., and the Knights of Pythias. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he is regarded as one of the most influential citizens of the place.
Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan (Chapman Bros., 1892)
-- Contributed by Amy Robbins-Tjaden
