Ross W. Hippensteel papers, 1912-1960 | Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

By David Hovde and Mary A. Sego

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Collection Overview

Title: Ross W. Hippensteel papers, 1912-1960

Predominant Dates:1932-1950

Primary Creator: Hippensteel, Ross (1912-1997)

Extent: 13.5 Cubic feet

Date Acquired: 06/07/2007

Subjects: Engineering, Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae, World War, 1939-1945

Forms of Material: Artifacts (object genre), Certificates, Clippings (Information artifacts), Correspondence, Diplomas, Ephemera, Lecture notes, Pencil sketches

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Ross W. Hippensteel papers (1912-1960; 13.5 cubic feet) document the college and military career of Ross W. Hippensteel. The collection contains many artifacts, papers, handbooks, manuals, certificates, class notes, clippings, correspondence, ephemera, a pencil sketch, clothing and other miscellaneous items. Some of the items belonged to his wife, Jean Rankin Hippensteel. The class notes are from many of his Purdue University, mechanical engineering and physics courses from 1929-1934, along with many Purdue University Military Department manuals. There is also a strong emphasis on U.S. army artifacts and manuals from the years proceeding World War II, World War II and the years thereafter.

Biographical Note

Ross W. Hippensteel was born to Benjamin F. and Amelia (Guempelein) Hippensteel, August 22, 1912 in Peru, Indiana. He was a 1930 graduate of Peru High School, and graduated from Purdue University in 1934. Ross Hippensteel married Geneva "Jean" Rankin in Wabash on September 19, 1934.

He retired October 31, 1974 after forty years as an engineer at Continental Steel Corporation. He also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving twenty-eight years in the Reserves and active duty from 1942-1945, during World War II in the European Theater.

His memberships included First Congregational Church; a forty year member of Kokomo Metropolitan Kiwanis Club and was Lieutenant Governor of the Sycamore Division 1981-1982 and president of the Metropolitan Club 1971-1972; Society of Professional Engineers (A. A. Potter Chapter); Kokomo Elks Lodge No. 190; Kokomo Management Club; appointed 1958-1962 to serve on the Kokomo Center Township School Board and Library Board. He was appointed as a civilian engineer to the Advisory Board to help the new jail in 1968.

He had two sons, Benjamin R. and David L. Hippensteel and two grandchildren. Ross W. Hippensteel died April 7, 1997. He was buried with military honors by the Veterans of Foreign War.

Subject/Index Terms

Engineering
Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae
World War, 1939-1945

Administrative Information

Repository: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Physical Access Note: All materials have been housed in polyester sleeves, acid-free folders, and acid-free boxes. Some of the manuals have been removed from the collection for preservation purposes and cataloged as part of the Archives' book collection.

Acquisition Method: Donation received from Gary Hippensteel (grandson) on June 7, 2007.

Preferred Citation: MSA 34, Ross W. Hippensteel papers, Karnes Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries

Other URL: http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/fa/pdf/hippensteel_r.pdf

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Military Equipment and Artifacts, circa 1918-1950],
[Box 2: Military Clothing and Insignia, 1919-1950],
[Box 3: Military Clothing, 1940-1960],
[Box 4: Military Equipment, Assorted Equestrian Items, U.S. Army, circa 1936-1960],
[Box 5: Military Manuals, Military Correspondence, and Related Materials, 1927-1950],
[Box 6: Purdue University Military and Engineering Student Materials, 1929-1934],
[Box 7: School Papers, Railroad Related Materials, and Miscellaneous Material, 1912-1955],
[Box 8: Diplomas and Bill of Rights Reproduction, 1925-1932],
[Box 9: Adult and Children’s Clothing, circa 1935-1940],
[Box 10: Adult and Children’s Clothing, undated],
[Box 11: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 1: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 2: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 3: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[All]

Box 9: Adult and Children’s Clothing, circa 1935-1940

Item 1: Baby shoes, 1935 [white leather baby shoes in a white cardboard box. In pencil on the lid: "Benny's First Shoes Nov. '35" In ink: "5 months old"]
Item 2: Baby shoes, 1937 [white leather baby shoes with sky blue leather design in a white cardboard box. In pencil on the lid: "David Lan's first shoes March '37." In ink: "3 mo. old"]
Item 3: White knit baby arm warmer, undated [knit tube of white yarn with blue knit edging and a pink ribbon tied to one sleeve.]
Item 4: White cotton sleeveless slip with lace, undated [white cotton slip, 29 inches in length. Two shell buttons at neck and chest. Lace on neck and arm holes. Crocheted lace band 2.5 inches in width 6.0 inches from the base and the same design at base of the garment]
Item 5: White cotton slip with lace, undated [white cotton slip with sleeves, 29 inches in length. Three shell buttons close the garment from neck to base of arms. Three vertical bands of lace and pleats at top front and skirt gathered at top. The base of the garment is decorated with three horizontal pleats and a band of lace]
Item 6: White cotton baby dress, undated [white cotton short sleeved baby dress, 16 inches in length. White embroidery on sleeves, collar, and front. Vertical pleats at shoulder. Two small white buttons close the back at the neck. Small label at neck: "Hand Made." Note associated with garment: "Benny H baby dress & sweater & gloves are knit by Jean's aunt Pearl Parson."]
Item 7: White cotton baby dress, undated [white cotton short sleeved baby dress, 15 inches in length. White embroidery on sleeves, collar, and front. Vertical pleats at shoulder. Two small white buttons close the back at the neck. Note associated with garment: "David's baby dress hand made by Jean H & sack are D --."]
Item 8: Lace hanky, undated [each quarter of this hanky is half shear cotton fabric and half lace and is divided at a 45 degree angle. The entire edge is bordered by 7/8 inch lace. Ink signature: "A. M. Rankin."]
Item 9: Engineer's cap, undated [brown cap with folded ear protection lined with brown animal fur. Considerable dirt and sweat staining. Stamped in the interior: "Water Shed Fabric."]