Kiperj  
 

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     JAMES A. KIPER is a farmer and stock raiser, residing about twelve miles west from Wauconda postoffice, upon an estate he secured from the government by homestead right, since the reservation opened.  He has bent his energies to improve and open up the farm, which is good evidence of his industry and thrift.  He has a good residence, barn, outbuildings, fences, cultivated fields and so forth, while also he owns a good band of horses and some cattle.
     James A. Kiper was born on January 1, 1870, in Mason county, Missouri, the son of Jesse and Sarah E. (Kiper) Kiper, natives of Kentucky.  The father died in 1873.  The mother was of the same name but no relation to her husband.  After the death of her husband, she married John Swan, and in 1875, accompanied him, taking her eight children across the plains in wagons to Oregon.  She is now living in Harpster, Idaho.  At the tender age of nine, our subject started in life to make his own way and soon fell in with W. W. Wilson, with whom he went to Big Hale, Montana.  There he was in the employ of Mr. Wilson, who was a large stock man, and for seven years rode the range.  After this he came to Oregon, then went to Asotin county, Washington, whence he made his way to Camas Prairie, Idaho, and dealt in horses.  He shipped three car loads to Idaho, then came back to the Palouse country and was also through the Big Bend.  Later, we find him in Northport, mining and prospecting where he had interest in several properties.  Next he went to Meyers Falls, whence he went to Republic and when the boom started assisted to erect his first building and also did carpenter work.  Following this, on February, 1901, he came to his present place, located and made entry on the land.  It is a piece of land well supplied with water and Mr. Kiper is fast making it a pleasant and valuable home place.  Mr. Kiper has been a real disciple of Nimrod in various sections and many a bear, cougar, elk and so forth fell before his trusty rifle.  He has traveled extensively but never has found a place to live in better than Okanogan county.
     Mr. Kiper can tell some interesting stories about breaking the western cayuse, being himself also an expert in that order.