Daniel E. Kiplinger
Probably of all the older citizens of Lima, none has better claim to be remembered than has the subject of this sketch, who for many years was closely identified with the material growth of the city. It has been computed that it all the structures that he has erected here should be massed, a village of considerable size would be found Mr. Kiplinger was born in June, 1830, in Springfield, Ohio, and is a son of Philip Kiplinger.
Away back to the days when white settlers fought in Ohio with the Indians before they could establish safe and peaceful homes, the Kiplinger family was known, and one of the named was a defender of Fort Defiance. The grandfather of our subject, Daniel Kiplinger, came from Virginia at a very early day and settled in Clark County, Ohio, and there Philip Kiplinger, his son also spent his life.
In March, 1854, Daniel E. Kiplinger came to Lima, and became one of the pioneer contractors. He was skilled far beyond any of his competitors and was so rapid in his work that it came to be a common saying that it as cheaper to hire Daniel Kiplinger by the day than any one else by contract. Almost all of the earlier business blocks in Lima were built by him, and some of these, notably the Collins Block and the Ashton Block, are still standing. Many of the others have been torn down on account of public improvements or to make way for larger structures. There are standing hundreds of neat residences and comfortable homes, built after the fashion of his day, and still stanch and true so far as their construction goes. Mr. Kiplinger continued contracting and building until forced to retire from constant activity, by failing health, in 1898. Since then he has occasionally assisted his son, the leading carpenter and contractor of the city, C. F. Kiplinger.
Mr. Kiplinger was married, first, in February, 1855, to Mary E. Cookston, who was a daughter of the late Thomas Cookston. The two surviving children of that marriage are: Cilfford L., a well-known contractor at Lima, and Clarence, a resident of Columbus. The mother of these sons died in 1861. On October 2, 1862, Mr. Kiplinger was married to Mary E Owens, who was born in Wales and is a daughter of Hugh Owens. Mr. Owens came to America and to Allen County in 1844 and settled in Sugar Creek township, where he cleared and improved a fine farm. He died in 1851, survived by his wife and five children. The estimable mother of Mrs. Kiplinger kept her children together and followed out her husband's wish in the development of the farm. She died in 1881, leaving but two survivors, Mrs. Kiplinger and a sister, Anna, who is the wife of O. A. Jones. The latter is considered one of the best farmers in Sugar Creek township, having a record of raising 1,600 bushels of corn on 22 acres of land.
Mr. and Mrs. Kiplinger had three children, but have been bereaved of all. The eldest James Edward, died at the age of 34 years after having won a place second to none among California journalists. Raymond D., the second son, was formerly yard clerk for the Cincinnati & Eastern Railroad and died aged 22 years. The only daughter, Anna Mary, passed away in her 15th year. Mr. and Mrs. Kiplinger belong to Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. For four years he was a member of the Lima City Council, and for three years, of the Board of Equalization. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason.
From History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Edited by Charles C. Miller. Richmond & Arnold, Publishers, Chicago, 1906