After discovering Ernie had signed in with the class of 1957 at the 2016 Alumni reunion, (which provided amusement for the committee), I thought I would find out a little more about him. Doris Brown gave me her mother’s (Alice (Drake) Grow collection of Rippey pictures several years ago. Some were used in the history book. I am slowly trying to find the history of not only the people of Rippey, but the businesses, churches, and organizations that were in Rippey those many years ago. Jean Borgeson, June 2016
Ernest J. Clapp Early Rippey Blacksmith
Jefferson Bee August 3, 1905.
Mr. Clapp, of Toronto, Canada, is helping in the blacksmith department of Oscar Harmon.
From The Rippey History Book, pages 41 & 42 (1970)
Ernest J. Clapp came to Rippey, Iowa, July 16, 1905, which happened to be a Sunday afternoon. He walked to Rippey from Grand Junction as there were no trains in the afternoon to Rippey. He wanted to visit Amos Burk with whom he had become acquainted while traveling in California. Mr. Clapp was on his way from Milverton, Ontario, Canada to California at this time.
But, as Mr. Oscar Harmon, the blacksmith of Rippey at that time was in need of a helper, his visit terminated in a job. He had also worked at pipe fitting and machine work before. He learned the blacksmith trade in Highbridge, Somersetshire, England, taking four years apprenticeship.
Oct. 25, 1906 Jefferson Bee
Mr. Geo. Naylor (Alice Clapp’s father) and E. Clapp are building a new blacksmith shop on the north side of Dr. Shipley’s lot. Rippey will have three shops now.
Jefferson Bee Feb. 28, 1907
Ernest Clapp, Geo. Fessler, and Ernest Nichols attended the blacksmith convention at Jefferson Friday.
Jefferson Bee October 31, 1907
Mr. Allie Hall has gone in with Mr. Ernest Clapp in the blacksmith shop.
Ernest and Alice (Naylor) Clapp married Dec. 23, 1908
Jefferson Bee Feb 23, 1910
Geo J. Dugan et al to Ernest J. Clapp Lot 11 in Block 6 in New Rippey 600.00
Blacksmith, farm implements, Odd Fellows, Rippey, IA; before 1906 when Isaac Joshua (Frank) Burk bought the buildings. (After the fire in 1912, Burk replaced the front of his building with glass windows and brick walls. (See the history of Burk Ford) The Independent Order of Odd Fellows replaced their building with the brick building in 1912.)
Jefferson Bee December 14, 1910
Ernest Clapp has bought the blacksmith property of John Shoemaker and will continue to run the business.
From the Rippey History Book:
February 7, 1912 this shop burned down almost taking the life of Ernest Clapp and his brother, Edgar, who was helping him at that time. In June, 1912 he purchased two lots from Jake Rohrer, and built a large brick structure which stood across the road north from the Hanson Lumber Company. In June 1942, this building had to be torn down to make way for Highway No. 144. Mr. Clapp now moved his equipment to the former Howard Implement Building which he purchased from Halsey Munson and which now (1955) is his present location.
Jefferson Bee March 27, 1912
E J. Clapp has purchased the property east of the Radebaugh and Munson grain office on which he will erect a new brick building 40×60 This is a good location for a blacksmith shop and will help build, up the town.
Jefferson Bee April 10, 1912
Rippey Ripplings
E. J. Clapp went to Des Moines lost week, where an operation was performed on one of his eyes. A small portion of skin was taken from behind one ear and grafted on the eye that refused to heal alter his severe burns received during the winter.
Jefferson Bee July 9, 1913
The building belonging to E. J. Clapp in which the T. E. Dugan barber shop is located now swells forth in a new coat of paint.
Jefferson Herald April 9, 1942
Rippey
E J Clapp has closed his blacksmith shop for the season and soon will begin removing buildings from the lot for the construction of the new highway which will soon, be under way.
Jefferson Bee April 28, 1942
E. J. Clapp has made a deal for the buildings at the rear of the Halsey Munson residence, where he is moving the contents of his blacksmith shop. The highway survey necessitated the removal of several other buildings at his home also.
Jefferson Herald June 11, 1942
The brick building known as the Clapp blacksmith shop, has been torn down this week to make ready for the road machinery which has begun construction of the new highway. Mr. Clapp has moved in the buildings at the rear of the Halsey Munson property, which was formerly used by the Howard Implement Co.
History book said he retired in May of 1963, but apparently he had surgery and never fully recovered to come back to live in Rippey.
Jefferson Herald May 30, 1963
E. J Clapp is reported improving at the Mercy Hospital where he submitted to surgery several days ago
Jefferson Herald July 4, 1963
E L Clapp has been moved from the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines where he was a surgical patient for the past month. He is now at the Warford Convalescent Home in West Des Moines and is reported improving slowly.
Jefferson Herald July 16, 1964
E J Clapp of West Des Moines will observe his 83rd birthday Saturday July 18 He was one of the early businessmen of Rippey operating for many years the local blacksmith shop.
Ernest J. Clapp died June 15, 1971 at the Dowell Manor nursing home in West Des Moines.
Alice (Naylor) Clapp died Nov. 4, 1954
Frances (Clapp) Van Egdom died Feb 1998
Richard Van Egdom died 21 Dec 1967
All are buried in Rippey Cemetery