Ropes and Skinner families

Historical Background

Hannah A. Ropes (1809-1863) was born Hannah Anderson Chandler and was married to William Henry Ropes, with whom she later became estranged from. She spent most of her life in Massachusetts and during the 1850s she spent time with her son Edward in Kansas, writing a book about her experiences. During the American Civil War, she went to Washington D.C. to serve as matron of a military hospital where she contracted, and eventually died from, typhoid.

Edward E. Ropes (1837-1931) was the son of Hannah A. Ropes and William Henry Ropes. He grew up in Massachusetts, but spent a significant portion of the 1850s in Kansas with his mother. During the American Civil War he served as a private in the infantry, fighting in various battles including the Battle of Gettysburg. After the war he relocated to Florida.

Alice R. Skinner (1841-1918) was born Alice Ropes to Hannah A. Ropes and William Henry Ropes. She spent the latter part of the American Civil War working for the Freeman's Bureau in North Carolina. In 1866, she married Jairus L. Skinner. During the 1880s, she worked as a piano teacher in Sacramento, California and became active in the Woman's Relief Corps in the 1890s.

Jairus Leander Skinner (1838-1899) spent his early life working in various jobs throughout Massachusetts. During the American Civil War, he served in the Massachusetts infantry, rising to Captain, and spending time as a prisoner of war. From 1865 to 1876, he served as Postmaster of Amherst. He also started a lifelong association with the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), rising to become Senior Vice-Commander of the Department of Massachusetts. During the late 1870s, he moved to Sacramento, California where he worked first as a music teacher and later as an employee of Whittier, Fuller, and Co. He also maintained his ties to the GAR, serving as a member of the statewide Board of Administration. In the late 1880s, he relocated to Los Angeles, California continuing to work for Whittier, Fuller, and Co, and also beginning work as a lecturer of Swendenbourgism and as a writer/performer of poetry.

Alfred Parsons Skinner (1878-1920) was the son of Jairus L. Skinner and Alice R. Skinner. After receiving an education, he held a string of jobs in various parts of the western United States. He was active in the Sons of Veterans, at one point holding the position of Captain.

Rose Skinner (personal dates unknown) was the wife of Alfred P. Skinner. The two appear to have married sometime around 1902, and divorced sometime before 1909.

Esther S.Perry (1866-unknown) was born Esther C. Skinner to Alice R. Skinner and Jairus L. Skinner. In 1899 she married John C. Perry, after working in various odd jobs (including as a draughtswoman for an architectural firm) throughout the United States.

John C. Perry (personal dates unknown) appears to have worked at various odd jobs, including Publishing, prior to and shortly after marrying Esther S. Perry. Around 1910, the Perry family settled in Highland, California where John C. Perry became involved in the citrus industry.

• 1861 - 1865: : During the American Civil War Jairus L. Skinner and Edward E. Ropes served in the army, Hannah A. Ropes worked at an army hospital, and Alice R. Skinner worked for the Freeman's Bureau.
• 1864 - 1865: : Jairus L. Skinner was a prisoner or war, and, after one failed escape attempt, managed to reach the Union lines.
• 1866:: Jairus L. Skinner and Alice R. Skinner were married.
• 1876:: Jairus L. Skinner served as Senior Vice-Commander of the Department of Massachusetts Grand Army of the Republic.
• 1865 - 1876: : Jairus L. Skinner served as Postmaster of Amherst.
• circa 1880 - 1899: : Jairus L. Skinner was employed by Whittier, Fuller, and Co.
• circa 1886 - 1889: : Jairus L.Skinner, Alice R. Skinner, and family relocated to Los Angeles, California.
• 1899:: John C. Perry and Esther S. Perry were married.
• circa 1913 - 1939: : John C. Perry, Esther S. Perry, and family were active in Southern California citrus industry.

From the guide to the Ropes and Skinner families papers, 1826-1978, undated, 1855-1917, (Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.)