John Wesley Stipe, the son of John Stipe (1804-1890) and Emily Smith (1815-1908), was born June 9, 1841, in Palmetto, Georgia. Stipe married Arminda Parker (1839-1868) on November 8, 1860, and had at least three children with her: John Wesley, who died in infancy; Emma (1863-1932); and Mary Elizabeth Mamie (1866-?). John Wesley Stipe mustered into the Confederate States Army in April of 1862 as a private in Company C, 35th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry. He was apparently captured twice, once at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, after which he was released as part of a prisoner exchange; and again at Petersburg, Virginia on April 2, 1865. After cessation of hostilities, Stipe was released at Point Lookout, Maryland, on June 19, 1865. Stipe was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1868. He served as a circuit pastor throughout north Georgia; his appointments include Jonesboro, Carrollton, Lawrenceville, Roswell, and Dahlonega, where he served as Presiding Elder from 1876-1878. In 1874, he married Margaret Evans (1856-1905) and had at least three children with her; Charles Evans (1875-1908); John Wesley III (1878-1947); and Elizabeth, who died as a child. Shortly before his retirement from the ministry in 1912, Stipe married a widow, Mary Ellen Robbins (1871-1953), and settled in the Ben Hill community outside Atlanta where he farmed until his death on February 2, 1917.
From the description of Reverend John Wesley Stipe Papers, 1864-2003, undated, 1864 - 1961 (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 733577250
