Thomas Rippchen was born in Milwaukee on February 1, 1890. He attended parochial and public schools in his hometown, including Pio Nono High School in St. Francis, where he completed a commercial course. He was also the first student to enroll in the Milwaukee School of Trades, which he attended for two years. With this solid foundation, he began his career working with the Illinois Steel Company as an inspector of rails.

In 1912, Thomas resigned from Illinois Steel to become the timekeeper at Stoughton for the Moline Plow Company. He spent four years there, with the last two years serving as the head timekeeper for the entire plant. In 1916, he joined the Citizens State Bank, a local Stoughton institution, but left two years later to serve his country.

On April 25, 1918, Thomas enlisted and was sent to Camp Grant near Rockford, Illinois. After three weeks of intensive training, he was transferred to Camp Mills on Long Island, where he was assigned to Battery C of the 342nd Regiment of Field Artillery, part of the 89th Division. He spent a month at Camp Mills before sailing for France via Liverpool and Southampton, landing at La Havre.

Upon arrival in France, Thomas was transferred to the artillery camp at Desouge for a week of training. He spent about five weeks in the Meuse-Argonne, St. Mihiel, and Toul sectors before being assigned to General Headquarters G-4, ammunition branch of the First Army, in Ligny, France. He later served with General Headquarters G-2 in the intelligence section of the First Army and then with Troop B of the Headquarters Company at Bar-sur-Aube. Shortly after, he was sent to Marseilles, France, and sailed for America on the Justicia-F 268, traveling via Gibraltar to New York. He was mustered out at Camp Grant on June 10, 1919, as a first-class private and returned to Stoughton with an honorable military record.

After returning, Thomas resumed his work at the Citizens National Bank, where he earned multiple promotions that eventually led him to the role of assistant cashier. He diligently safeguarded the institution’s funds, and his conscientious and efficient performance contributed to its growth and success.

On January 10, 1921, Thomas married Miss Edna Adele Burull, who was born in Stoughton on February 18, 1894, and completed her studies at the local high school. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and taught intermediate grades at Central High School in Stoughton for several years. Edna’s father, Albert Burull, emigrated from Norway and served for several years as the superintendent of the Stoughton plant of the Moline Plow Company. Her mother, Elsie (Mandt) Burull, was a Stoughton native and the sister of T.G. Mandt, founder of the Stoughton Wagon Works, one of the largest institutions of its kind in Wisconsin. Thomas and Edna Rippchen had two children: a son, James Thomas, born on August 15, 1923, and a daughter, Suzanne, born on September 23, 1926.

Thomas was a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, the Stoughton Club, and the Stoughton Country Club, where he had served as treasurer since its founding. He was actively involved in the formation of The Otis Sampson American Legion Post 59 and served as its Commander in 1922. He was also connected with Voiture No. 683 of La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux.

A supporter of the Republican Party, Thomas advocates for movements and projects that benefit his community, county, and state. He enjoys hunting, fishing, baseball, basketball, boxing, and golf, which help promote his physical well-being. His abilities, coupled with his steady energy and trustworthiness, have been instrumental in his advancement in the financial field, earning him the respect and confidence of his peers.

Thomas Rippchen passed away on October 27th, 1956 at his home.