Colonel James Poage founded Ripley in 1812. He received 100 acres, either by his service as a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War or from his service as a surveyor, as both services entitled him to government land grants. Since Poage often commanded surveying parties he was, as was the custom of the time, given the title of Colonel which he kept thereafter. Originally Poage called our village Staunton, for his Virginia hometown. The name was changed to Ripley on February 23, 1816 in honor of General Eleazar Wheelock Ripley, an American commander in the War of 1812. Colonel Poage built a series of brick row houses on Front Street where he and his family lived. He is buried in old Ripley Cemetery, north off upper Main Street.

Portraying the Colonel is Cary Gray, Ripley resident and social studies teacher at Georgetown High School. Gray is the 5th great grandson of Colonel Poage. Gray is photographed in front of one of the original brick row houses on Front Street built by Poage.