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.