History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p.1161-1162

Joseph B. Ripsom, carriage maker in Parsons & Goodfellow's Carriage Works;
was born in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N.Y., Dec. 1, 1835; he lived in New York
until 1863, following his trade; then went to Marshall, Dane Co., Wis., and
followed his present business on his own account about three years; he then
returned to New York in 1870 and lived there until April, 1880, engaged in
teaching. He then came to Oshkosh, Wis., and engaged as above stated. Mr.
Ripsom was married in Rochester, N.Y., Oct. 10, 1861, to Miss Abigail
Lawton, who was born in Rochester, N.Y. They had four children by this
union- Frank H. (now in Nebraska), Lydia P., William L. and Josephine C.
Mrs. Ripsom died in the fall of 1876, in Chenango Co., N.Y. Mr. Ripsom
again married Nov. 10, 1878, to Miss Mollie A. Dean, who was born in
Niagara Co., N.Y. They have one son- Harry R. Mr. Ripsom was engaged in
teaching prior to 1862, and studied law in the law office of Norton &
Bowman, of Brockport, N.Y., and was admitted to the bar in 1877, during the
time between 1862 and 1877, he spent his time in Dane Co., Wis., and was
admitted to the bar of the legal profession in Oshkosh in November, 1880.