Theodore was born on a farm in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania in November of 1826. He was the second of ten children. At the age of 23 he lived with his parents and siblings in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, PA. Theodore was working as a Broom Maker as was his brother Lemuel and owned real estate valued at $1000.
In 1851 Theodore married Rosanna McWilliams. By 1860 he was farming in Mahoning Township, had real estate valued at $1600 and a personal estate worth $500. He lived with his wife and three children: Alvi, Eva, and James. Brother Albert lived and farmed nearby with his wife Angeline.
Theodore was 36 when he registered with the Civil War draft in 1863. After the Civil War the 1870 Census showed that he still lived in Mahoning Township and farmed there. Living with him are his wife and three children: Alvi, Eva, and Isaac. [Presumably Sarah died at a young age.] The 1880 Census shows the family is still in Mahoning and Theodore (54) is still farming. Rosanna and four children live at home. Brother Albert and his wife continue to live nearby; brother-in-law Isaac P McWilliams, a teamster, lives with them. Brothers Lemuel and James (both farmers also) live nearby with their families.
In the 1900 Census Theodore (74) is still farming. Wife Rosanna and a boarder (Isaac McWilliams, brother-in-law) live with him. Next door lives son Scott Ripple with his wife Mattie and young daughter Mattie. Scott is also a farmer.
Theodore died 24 Jan 1901 in New Castle, Lawrence Co, PA. His wife Rosanna died 21 May 1907. They are buried in Mahoning United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.