Annetta R. Chipp ( Biggs; after first marriage, Klingensmith; after second marriage, Chipp; May 2, 1866 – March 25, 1961) was an American temperance leader and prison evangelist. She served as president of the South Idaho

Woman's Christian Temperance Union The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is an international temperance organization. It was among the first organizations of women devoted to social reform with a program that "linked the religious and the secular through concerted and far ...

(W.C.T.U.).

Early life and education

Annetta Rebecca Biggs was born at

Montpelier, Indiana Montpelier is a city in Harrison Township, Blackford County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. This small rural community, the county's first to be platted, was established by settlers from Vermont, and is named after Vermont's capital city of ...

, May 2, 1866. Her parents were George Washington Biggs (1839-1929) and Margaret (Baldwin) Biggs (1837-1916). Annetta had three sisters and a brother: Viola, Mildred, Carrie, and George. Almost simultaneously with the beginning of her education in the public schools of Montpelier, she developed an interest for temperance reform through a tragedy wrought by alcoholism in one of the neighboring households, where a father and his son both died of

delirium tremens Delirium tremens (DTs; ) is a rapid onset of confusion usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol. When it occurs, it is often three days into the withdrawal symptoms and lasts for two to three days. Physical effects may include shaking, sh ...

in the same night. The Murphy movement, introduced into the community shortly afterward, afforded children as well as adults the opportunity for organized action, and the young schoolgirl became one of the leaders. Removing with her parents to

LeRoy, Michigan LeRoy is a village in Osceola County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 256 at the 2010 census. The village is located within LeRoy Township. History A post office in LeRoy has been in operation since 1871, with James E. Bevin ...

, at the age of 14, Miss Biggs there became a member of the

Independent Order of Good Templars The International Organisation of Good Templars (IOGT; founded as the Independent Order of Good Templars), whose international body is known as Movendi International, is a fraternal organization which is part of the temperance movement, promoting ...

Career

Boise, Idaho Boise ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Idaho, most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, there were 235,685 people residing in the city. Loca ...

, her active participation in the work of the W.C.T.U. and effective service in various official positions led to her selection as president of the South Idaho W.C.T.U. in 1910, a position which she held for six years, until failing health compelled her retirement to less exacting duties. For some years thereafter, she served as prison evangelist, holding services in the jails and various other State institutions. By appointment of the governor of the State, she was a delegate to the National Prison Congress. For years, Mr. and Mrs. Chipp opened their home to discharged prisoners, assisting them in finding employment and in reestablishing themselves in life. The home was also opened twice a week to classes of Japanese, where instruction was given in English branches, temperance, and U.S. ways of life. In addition to the W.C.T.U., Chipp was a member of the First Baptist Church,

YWCA The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries. The World office is currently based in Geneva, Swit ...

Idaho State Historical Society The Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS) is a historical society located in the U.S. state of Idaho that preserves and promotes the state's cultural heritage. The society was founded as the Historical Society of Idaho Pioneers in 1881, nine ye ...

, and the

Daughters of the American Revolution The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (often abbreviated as DAR or NSDAR) is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a patriot of the American Revolutionary War. A non-p ...

Personal life

In 1886, at

, she married Harry Elmer Klingensmith (1862-1896). Widowed in 1896, she then removed with her three children, Gladys, Lloyd, and Charles, to live with her mother at

Arlington, Oregon Arlington is a city in Gilliam County, Oregon, Gilliam County, Oregon, United States. The city's population was 586 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census and has a 2019 estimate of 591. History The account of how the city received its n ...

. In 1899, she married Warren Sydney Chipp (1867-1956) and they settled in Boise, Idaho in 1902, where she lived the remainder of her life. Their children were, Warren, Margaret, and Charles. Annetta Rebecca Chipp died in Boise, Idaho, March 25, 1961.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chipp, Annetta R. 1866 births 1961 deaths Temperance activists from Idaho Presidents of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union American prison reformers People from Blackford County, Indiana People from Boise, Idaho Daughters of the American Revolution people People from Montpelier, Indiana