Mrs. Mary Bley Dripps, widow of the late Dr. Calvin Todd
Dripps, and one of the most highly esteemed residents of Staunton, Macoupin
County, was born at Rock Island, Illinois, June 10, 1859. She is a daughter
of Dr. George and Elizabeth W. Bley.
Mrs. Dripps has been a resident
of Staunton ever since she was two years of age, and was educated in the
schools of this city. On May 15, 1889, she was united in marriage with the
late Dr. Calvin Todd Dripps, whose death, on August 22, 1902, was felt to be
almost a public sorrow to the citizens of Staunton, so great was the esteem
in which he was held. One daughter, Edna Isabella, survives.
The
late Dr. Calvin Todd Dripps was born in Staunton township, Macoupin County,
Illinois, October 19, 1850, and was one of a family of seven children born
to Thomas and Mary A. (Patterson) Dripps. He attended the country schools
and aided his father on the farm until he entered Monmouth College at
Monmouth, Illinois, where he was graduated with honors, in 1875, receiving
the degree of A. M. He then entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, where
he received his medical diploma in 1880, later taking a post-graduate course
in New York. Dr. Dripps located at Staunton and bought the practice of Dr.
R. E. Bley, becoming a partner of Dr. D. L. Bley, in June, 1888, with whom
he was associated until his death. He enjoyed a very large practitce and
followed the profession with enthusiasm, devoting every energy to the
scientific solving of its complex problems and to discovering newer and
better methods of combating disease. His death was a great loss to the
medical profession. To the hundreds who depended upon his skill for relief
and cure, and to those who were bound to him by ties of kindred and warm
friendship, his death came as a crushing blow.
Dr. Dripps was a
valued member of a number of fraternal organizations. In Masonic circles he
was past master, of Staunton Lodge, No. 177, A. F. & A. M., and a member of
St. Omar Commandery, K. T., of Litchfield. He was also a member of Staunton
Lodge, No. 685, I. O. O. F., and took an active interest in the benevolent
aims of other associations. Both he and his wife contributed liberally to
the support of the work of the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a
consistent member. While the Doctor was not a member of any church at the
time of his death, lie was a good, conscientious Christian gentleman. He won
esteem and affection and his hospitable home was always open to the visits
of the younger generation, who frequently took advantage of the welcome they
felt sure of receiving. It would be impossible for a man of the high
character and genial personality of the late Dr. Dripps to be forgotten in
Staunton as long as the present generation survives. Mrs. Dripps, with her
daughter and her mother, occupy the beautiful home, which is one of the
finest residences in Staunton.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 455-456.
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