Biographical Sketch of
Platon Garfield Collipp
Transcribed by Joan Benner Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 243 - 244 Platon Garfield Collipp, one of the leading attorneys of Friendship, and publisher of the Adams County Reporter, is a young man whose ability and intelligent worth are recognized by every citizen of Adams county. He has already filled some of the most important offices within the gift of the people of his community, and has faithfully discharged the duties of his commission in every instance, and is one of the public-spirited men of Wisconsin. Mr. Collipp was born in Portage, Wisconsin, May 9, 1869, and was the son of Conrad and Louisa (Slifer) Collipp. Conrad Collipp was a native of Obersuhl, Hesse-Cassel, Germany. His father died in his native land, but his mother passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Conrad Collipp learned the trade of carpet weaving in his native land, and about 1842 came to America, and worked at his trade in Philadelphia several years, and then went to Chicago, and in 1848 came to Wisconsin. He settled in Portage where he engaged in farming on land which is now within the city limits. After a few years he started a brick yard, and for a number of years was thus engaged, and was successful, but afterward rented the establishment. He served as county treasurer and was active in matters of public importance. He was a consistent member of the German Methodist church. Mrs. Collipp is a resident of Portage, aged sixty-nine years, where her husband passed away in 1883, aged sixty-one years. Mrs. Collipp was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of Samuel Slifer, a native of Germany, and a carpenter by trade. He settled at Portage in 1848, where he remained until his death. The original name of the family was Schlifer. Platon G. Collipp completed the course in the Portage high school, and then spent two years in the English course at the Wisconsin University. He then entered the freight office of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company at Portage, remaining there until 1896. In the fall of that year he entered the law department of the university, and after spending one year and three months at the study was admitted to the bar at Milwaukee in December, 1897. He spent three months in the office of J. H. Rogers, in Portage, and then established his present practice at Friendship. July 8, 1898, in company with L. L. Ketchum, he began publication of the Adams County Reporter, and in November of that year became its sole proprietor. During the fall of 1898 he was elected district attorney, having been unanimously nominated at the Republican convention. He is also engaged in the real estate and insurance business to some extent. His practice is a growing one and he is destined to become one of the foremost men in his state. Wherever he has made his home he has had many friends, and has been called upon to serve in various offices of local importance. While a resident of Portage he served two years as alderman, and in 1894 was nominated for city treasurer, but the party opposition caused his defeat. Mr. Collipp was married September 27, 1899, to Miss Agnes A. Fulton, daughter of William and Agnes (More) Fulton, residents of Portage, Wisconsin. Mr. Collipp is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Portage, and also of McQueeny Lodge, No. 104, Knights of Pythias.Transcribed by Joan Benner
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