Perth in Lanark County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Lieut. Alexander W. Kippen, D.L.S.

Intelligence Corps

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2023

1. Lieut. Alexander W. Kippen, D.L.S. Marker

Inscription.

Born at Perth, August 16, 1857,
Killed in Action at Batoche, N.W.T.
[North West Territory]
May 12, 1885.

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
[It is sweet and glorious to die for the fatherland.]

Erected 1887 by Fellow Citizens, Masonic Brethren and Comrades in Arms.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • Wars, Non-US.

Location. 44° 54.878′ N, 76° 15.655′ W. Marker is in Perth, Ontario, in Lanark County. Monument is in Section A of Elmwood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 165 Dufferin Road, Perth ON K7H 3B4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. McLaren-Stewart Mausoleum Agreement (within shouting distance of this marker); Capt. Harry D. Campbell and Major Alex. R. Campbell (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Andrew Ronald Gamble (about 90 meters away); House of Industry of Lanark County Burial Site (about 120 meters away); St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.6 kilometers away); Reverend William Bell (approx. 1.6 kilometers

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away); Matheson, the Merchant (approx. 1.7 kilometers away); Matheson House / La Maison Matheson (approx. 1.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perth.

Regarding Lieut. Alexander W. Kippen, D.L.S.. From the Elmwood Cemetery Walking Tour app:

Local author and historian Ron Shaw has documented the story of Alexander Kippen in great detail in his article DEATH AT BATOCHE.

Shaw's article begins by stating, "The first Perth native to die in military action, Lieutenant Alexander Walker Kippen of the Dominion Land Surveyors’ Intelligence Corps, was killed May 12, 1885, attacking the Métis rifle pits at the Battle of Batoche, Northwest Territories."

"Kippen was born at Perth on August 1, 1857, the descendent of Scots immigrants Alexander Kippen Sr. and his son Duncan Kippen. Alexander Kippen Sr. (1803-1893) was born at Kenmore, Perthshire, Scotland and was married in 1829, at Kenmore, to Catherine Walker, (1808-1891). Among their nine children was Duncan Kippen who arrived with his parents at Perth, aged one year, in 1832."

"Alexander Kippen Sr. was a builder by trade and among his earliest jobs at Perth was completion of McMartin House,

Lieut. Alexander W. Kippen, D.L.S. Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2023

2. Lieut. Alexander W. Kippen, D.L.S. Monument

now a listed National Historic Site. Perth Town Hall, constructed 1862-1863, was built by the contracting firm of Alexander Kippen and Son, as was the Bank of Montreal and several large Perth residences such as the St. Paul’s United Church Manse. In 1850 Alexander Sr. founded the Perth Planing Mill to manufacture window sashes and doors and to dress custom lumber. Another of his grandsons, also named Alexander, would later run the planing mill, for a time in partnership with William Allen."

"When Alexander Kippen died, aged 90 years and nine months, his obituary reported he was, at the time, the oldest man in Perth. He was a “member of the old Free Church since the disruption and before that of the Church of Scotland” and was an elder of Knox Presbyterian Church at the time of his death. Catherine Walker-Kippen had predeceased her husband “at her residence on Wilson Street” in 1891."

On June 10, 1887, the Perth Courier reported:

The monument to A.W. Kippen was finally put up in its place last week and is the most conspicuous object in the Elmwood Cemetery. It consists of a plain massive pillar with sloping sides on a base which in turn is placed on a terraced platform. Both pillars and base are of Canadian grey granite. Standing upon the monument proper is a sculptured figure of a Canadian volunteer in white marble, a little under life size, keenly gazing

Kippen Monument Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2023

3. Kippen Monument Statue

toward a possible enemy. The rifle is upright at his side and a field glass is grasped in his left hand.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.