Ripon, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Ripon is a city in Fond du Lac County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,828. The City of Ripon's official website claims the city's current population to be 7,701. The city is surrounded by the Town of Ripon
.
cathedral city of Ripon
, North Yorkshire
, was founded in 1849 by David P. Mapes, a former New York steamboat captain. John Scott Horner was the one who named the town, and most of the streets (his house is still standing today). Within two years the city had absorbed the nearby commune of Ceresco, established in 1844 by the Wisconsin Phalanx, a group of settlers inspired by the utopian socialist philosophy of Charles Fourier
. Mapes also initiated the formation of Ripon College
, originally incorporated as Brockway College in 1851.
Meeting at a school house
in Ripon on February 28, 1854, some thirty opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska Act
called for the organization of a new political party and suggested that Republican would be the most appropriate name (to link their cause with the Declaration of Independence
). The group also took a leading role in the creation of the Republican Party in many northern states during the summer of 1854. While conservatives and many moderates were content merely to call for the restoration of the Missouri Compromise
or a prohibition of slavery extension, the group insisted that no further political compromise with slavery was possible.
The February 1854 meeting was the first political meeting of the group that would become the Republican Party. The first meeting by a group that called itself "Republican" took place later in 1854 in Jackson, Michigan
. Both cities, along with Exeter, New Hampshire
and Crawfordsville, Iowa
, bill themselves as the "Birthplace of the Republican Party," however, Jackson is most often associated with this idea, as the event taking place was the first official Republican Party meeting.
The modern Ripon Society
, a Republican think tank, takes its name from Ripon, Wisconsin.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.0 km²), of which, 4.2 square miles (11.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.47% water.
of 2000, there were 6,828 people, 2,922 households, and 1,759 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,612.8 people per square mile (623.2/km²). There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of 736.5 per square mile (284.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.72% White, 0.19% Black or African American
, 0.16% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.86% from other races
, and 0.57% from two or more races. 2.21% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,922 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,399, and the median income for a family was $51,100. Males had a median income of $35,990 versus $25,053 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,313. About 4.4% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 97,296. Its county seat is Fond du Lac. The United States Census Bureau's Fond du Lac Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Fond du Lac County. The county name is French for "bottom of the...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,828. The City of Ripon's official website claims the city's current population to be 7,701. The city is surrounded by the Town of Ripon
Ripon (town), Wisconsin
Ripon is a town in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,001 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Arcade Acres is located in the town.-Geography:...
.
Founding
Ripon, named for the EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
cathedral city of Ripon
Ripon
Ripon is a cathedral city, market town and successor parish in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, located at the confluence of two streams of the River Ure in the form of the Laver and Skell. The city is noted for its main feature the Ripon Cathedral which is architecturally...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, was founded in 1849 by David P. Mapes, a former New York steamboat captain. John Scott Horner was the one who named the town, and most of the streets (his house is still standing today). Within two years the city had absorbed the nearby commune of Ceresco, established in 1844 by the Wisconsin Phalanx, a group of settlers inspired by the utopian socialist philosophy of Charles Fourier
Charles Fourier
François Marie Charles Fourier was a French philosopher. An influential thinker, some of Fourier's social and moral views, held to be radical in his lifetime, have become main currents in modern society...
. Mapes also initiated the formation of Ripon College
Ripon College (Wisconsin)
Ripon College is a liberal arts college in Ripon, Wisconsin, USA. It offers small class sizes and intensive mentoring to students. Ripon has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa--one of the nation's most prestigious honor societies. Alumni have high rates of success in the workforce as well as acceptance...
, originally incorporated as Brockway College in 1851.
Birthplace of the Republican Party
Little White Schoolhouse
-External links:**, at Historic American Building Survey...
in Ripon on February 28, 1854, some thirty opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening new lands for settlement, and had the effect of repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing settlers in those territories to determine through Popular Sovereignty if they would allow slavery within...
called for the organization of a new political party and suggested that Republican would be the most appropriate name (to link their cause with the Declaration of Independence
United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
). The group also took a leading role in the creation of the Republican Party in many northern states during the summer of 1854. While conservatives and many moderates were content merely to call for the restoration of the Missouri Compromise
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was an agreement passed in 1820 between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States Congress, involving primarily the regulation of slavery in the western territories. It prohibited slavery in the former Louisiana Territory north of the parallel 36°30'...
or a prohibition of slavery extension, the group insisted that no further political compromise with slavery was possible.
The February 1854 meeting was the first political meeting of the group that would become the Republican Party. The first meeting by a group that called itself "Republican" took place later in 1854 in Jackson, Michigan
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
. Both cities, along with Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town's population was 14,306 at the 2010 census. Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood...
and Crawfordsville, Iowa
Crawfordsville, Iowa
Crawfordsville is a city in Washington County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 295 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, bill themselves as the "Birthplace of the Republican Party," however, Jackson is most often associated with this idea, as the event taking place was the first official Republican Party meeting.
The modern Ripon Society
Ripon Society
The Ripon Society is an American centrist Republican think tank based in Washington, D.C. They produce The Ripon Forum, the Nation's longest running Republican thought and opinion journal....
, a Republican think tank, takes its name from Ripon, Wisconsin.
Geography
Ripon is located at 43°50′40"N 88°50′20"W (43.844905, -88.839615).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.0 km²), of which, 4.2 square miles (11.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.47% water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,828 people, 2,922 households, and 1,759 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,612.8 people per square mile (623.2/km²). There were 3,118 housing units at an average density of 736.5 per square mile (284.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.72% White, 0.19% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.16% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.86% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.57% from two or more races. 2.21% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race.
There were 2,922 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,399, and the median income for a family was $51,100. Males had a median income of $35,990 versus $25,053 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $20,313. About 4.4% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Mayors
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 1858 | Harvey Grant |
| 1859 | Jehdiah Bowen |
| 1860 | H.S. Town |
| 1861 | Philo England |
| 1862 | Ceylon North |
| 1863 | C.F. Hammond |
| 1864 | Pertine Pinkney |
| 1865 | H.T. Henton |
| 1866 | A.M. Skeels |
| 1867 | Samuel Sumner |
| 1868 | Jehdiah Bowen (2nd) |
| 1869 | William Workman |
| 1870 | George L. Field |
| 1871 | Aaron Everhard |
| 1872 | O.U. Akin |
| 1873 | O.J. Wolcott |
| 1874-78 | Aaron Everhard (2nd) |
| 1879 | Samuel Sumner |
| 1880 | I.M. Dakin |
| 1881 | A.P Harwood |
| 1882-85 | Aaron Everhard (3rd) |
| 1886 | Lewis Reed |
| 1887 | Marcellus Pedrick |
| 1888-89 | H.C. Everesz |
| 1890-92 | Aaron Everhard (4th) |
| 1893 | E.J. Burnside |
| 1894 | Alanson Wood |
| 1895 | Philomen Wicks |
| 1896 | Chester Hazen |
| 1897 | George L. Field (2nd) |
| 1898 | Bruno Shallern |
| 1899 | Hugo Schultz/Don Worrall |
| 1900-02 | John T. Harris |
| 1902-04 | I.F. Strauss |
| 1904-06 | John T. Harris (2nd) |
| 1906-14 | Lewis Kellogg |
| 1914-16 | Albert Maudlin |
| 1916-18 | L.W. Thayer |
| 1918-20 | Charles H. Graham |
| 1920-22 | Herman Thiel |
| 1922-32 | Lewis Kellogg (2nd) |
| 1932-36 | Harold Bumby |
| 1936-40 | W.H. Barber |
| 1940-44 | Eugene von Schallern |
| 1944-48 | Les Chelstrom |
| 1948-56 | Robert Born |
| 1956-60 | John H. Wilson |
| 1960-62 | J. Gordon Thiel |
| 1962-63 | Peter Ramsey |
| 1963-68 | John Adamski |
| 1968-72 | Fred W. Kohl, Jr. |
| 1972-74 | Mark Conrad |
| 1974-77 | Michael Williams (A) |
| 1977-82 | Warren Bredahl |
| 1982-84 | Thomas (Ted) Jones |
| 1984-86 | Warren Bredahl (2nd) |
| 1986-88 | David Gray |
| 1988-96 | John Haupt |
| 1996–2002 | Bob Somers |
| 2002–2003 | John Reinsch John Reinsch John Reinsch is the former Mayor of Ripon, Wisconsin. Reinsch served half of a term before resigning to move to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.-External links:*... (B) |
| 2003–2010 | Aaron Kramer |
| 2010 | Barbara Miller |
| Gary Will |
Notable natives and residents
- Frank L. AndersFrank L. AndersFrank LaFayette Anders was a United States Army soldier received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine-American War...
, 1875–1966, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient, attended college and died in Ripon. - Jeanne BiceJeanne BiceJeanne Bice was an entrepreneur, businesswoman and television personality. Bice was the founder of the Quacker Factory clothing line, which led to frequent appearances on QVC beginning in 1995. Her company, Quacker Factory, has grossed more than $50 million in sales, as of March 2011...
, 1939-2011, Entrepreneur, television personality and founder of the Quaker Factory clothing line - Carrie Chapman CattCarrie Chapman CattCarrie Chapman Catt was a women's suffrage leader who campaigned for the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which gave U.S. women the right to vote in 1920...
, 1859–1947, President of the National American Woman Suffrage AssociationNational American Woman Suffrage AssociationThe National American Woman Suffrage Association was an American women's rights organization formed in May 1890 as a unification of the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association...
. - John S. HornerJohn S. HornerJohn Scott Horner also known as Little Jack Horner was a U.S. politician, Secretary and acting Governor of Michigan Territory, 1835–1836 and Secretary of Wisconsin Territory, 1836-1837.-Early life:...
, 1802–1883, Acting Governor of Michigan TerritoryMichigan TerritoryThe Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
and Secretary of Wisconsin Territory - Bruno E. JacobBruno E. JacobBruno Ernst Jacob was a professor at Ripon College in Wisconsin and founder of the National Forensic League. He served as the League's Executive Secretary from 1925 until his retirement in 1969...
, 1899–1979, Founder of the National Forensic LeagueNational Forensic LeagueThe National Forensic League is a non-partisan, non-profit educational honor society established to encourage and motivate American high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking and interpretation. NFL is the America's oldest and largest...
, though born in the nearby town of Valders, lived in Ripon most of his life. - Richard Maltby, Jr.Richard Maltby, Jr.Richard Eldridge Maltby, Jr. is an American theatre director and producer, lyricist, and screenwriter. He is also well known as a constructor of cryptic crossword puzzles. He has done this for Harper's Magazine, sometimes in collaboration with E. R...
, 1937-, Theater director and producer, lyricist, screenwriter, cryptic crosswordCryptic crosswordCryptic crosswords are crossword puzzles in which each clue is a word puzzle in and of itself. Cryptic crosswords are particularly popular in the United Kingdom, where they originated, Ireland, the Netherlands, and in several Commonwealth nations, including Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malta,...
constructor for Harper's MagazineHarper's MagazineHarper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
. - H. Gordon SelfridgeHarry Gordon SelfridgeHarry Gordon Selfridge, Sr. was an American-born retail magnate, who founded the British department store Selfridges.-Early years:...
, 1857–1947, Founder of LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based SelfridgesSelfridgesSelfridges, AKA Selfridges & Co, is a chain of high end department stores in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge. The flagship store in London's Oxford Street is the second largest shop in the UK and was opened on 15 March 1909.More recently, three other stores have been...
department store, was born in Ripon. - Lloyd WasserbachLloyd WasserbachLloyd George Wasserbach was a player in the All-America Football Conference for the Chicago Rockets in 1946 and 1947 as a tackle. He played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison...
, 1921–1949, professional football player, died in Ripon. - Otto Julius ZobelOtto Julius ZobelOtto Julius Zobel was a design engineer who worked for the American Telephone & Telegraph Company in the early part of the 20th century. Zobel's work on filter design was revolutionary and led, in conjunction with the work of John R...
, 1887–1970, inventor of the m-derived filterM-derived filterm-derived filters or m-type filters are a type of electronic filter designed using the image method. They were invented by Otto Zobel in the early 1920s. This filter type was originally intended for use with telephone multiplexing and was an improvement on the existing constant k type filter...
and the Zobel networkZobel networkZobel networks are a type of filter section based on the image impedance design principle. They are named after Otto Zobel of Bell Labs who published a much referenced paper on image filters in 1923. The distinguishing feature of Zobel networks is that the input impedance is fixed in the design...
, was born and raised in Ripon.