Frank T. Ripley was born in Bath, Maine in 1848 to shoemaker Edward Ripley and his wife Asenath. There is little information on his life, but he made Boston his homebase while he travelled the country for thirty years representing Spiritualism as a test medium.
By 1880, he was listed as a travelling Trance and Public Test medium in Spiritualism publications. By 1890, he was a regular speaker and medium for the Boston Spiritual Temple Society while he was in town. His travels took him throughout the northeastern portion of the country in the 1880s, gradually moving westward as Spiritualism flourished. In 1881, he reached Wisconsin and Colorado.
At an engagement in Rindge, New Hampshire, “Mr. Ripley’s tests were marvelous in their correctness, and were the theme of the conversation all over the grounds.” In 1892, he spent a month in Wonewoc, Wisconsin and recruited 50 people to join the Wonewoc Spiritual Association. The same year he travelled to St. Paul. According to M. T. C. Flower, president of The Alliance, it was published in the Banner of Light, 7 May 1892, “That he is a remarkable platform test medium goes without saying, as thousands of people can testify who have witnessed his public tests given from the rostrum at close of his lectures, and at the weekly test circles given in aid of the society.”
Frank’s travels took him to New Orleans, Grand Rapids, and as far west as California. In 1887 in Los Angeles, he was called “one of the greatest mediums of the present age.” The Los Angeles Herald wrote, “Mr. Ripley is a large hearted, whole souled man, one who at once inspires confidence in his hearers, and as he has been in such great demand throughout the eastern states, being engaged for months ahead, our association considers itself very fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Ripley. Each service will consist of a short inspirational address upon ‘The Philosophy of Spiritualism’ and after the address demonstrations of the same by giving his wonderful and convincing tests.”
In1900, The Courier-Journal, Feb 16, 1900 of Louisville, Kentucky, Rev. Dr. Frank T. Ripley was described as “the oldest test medium on the American platform. He spoke but a few moments, telling of the comfort he had derived from the teachings of spiritualism and from the feeling that when his friends passed away they would still be able to communicate with him In closing he said that he had learned that the future spiritual world would be material like the present world, but in it everything would be more refined and much purer.”
Frank’s life appeared to be a solitary one. There is no record of a wife or family. In 1900 in Allen, Indiana, he was listed as a single boarder. His life revolved around Spiritualism and his lectures included a 1910 talk in Buffalo entitled: “Spirit World Life and Labor There” and 1914 Elmira, New York lectures including “After Death, What?” and “What Shall I Do to Be Saved?”
frank in Jamestown, New York in 1914 after giving a lecture and readings and was said to be well-known in the city. He was buried by the Masons because no family could be found.