In Jefferson Township, Section 24, two miles east of Skinner Lake and south to the old right-of-way, for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, a Post Office was established January 7, 1875. It was located on the east side of county road 500 east, and on the north side of the old railroad tracks. Wilson R. Easter was the first Postmaster. He served until July 16, 1877, when Jonathan W. Bell took over the position. Then on April 23, 1883, George W. Walters became the Postmaster and served until Lewis E. Hill took over July 7, 1888. Mr. Hill was in charge when the Post Office was discontinued February 14, 1903.
A news item in the New Era newspaper, dated March 4, 1875, read: "The citizens of eastern Jefferson Township have succeeded in obtaining a grant of a Post Office in the neighborhood of Christian Foster's, to be named Ripley. Now they want, of course, a station on the Baltimore and Ohio of the same name and location."
The Village of Ripley grew up beside the rails of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. A store was kept in conjunction with the Post Office, and a few items were sold. Mail was delivered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It is shown on the 1893 plat map of Noble County on the land of A.J. Rimmell. Neighbors were George Streby, Fred Schmuck, Washington Easter, Henry Truelove,Christian Barhan, W.A. Axtell and Samuel Yeiser.