Born in Washington District of Columbia, he was the son of Presbyterian minister John Shippen, Senior and Eliza Spotswood Shippen. When he was nine his father was sent to serve as minister on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation—close to Shinnecock Hills—one of America"s earliest golf clubs.
Shippen"s best finish came at the 1902 United States. Open, held October 10–11, 1902, at Garden City Golf Club in Garden City, New York, where he tied for fifth place. Another strong performance was his tie for sixth place in the held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New New York John, Junior. worked as a caddy at the course and was taught to play by the club"s Scottish professional, Willie Dunn, Junior.
The Shinnecock Hills course was chosen to host the second United States. Open in 1896.
Shippen played superb golf, finishing in sixth place.
Shippen was allowed to play because he registered as an Indian (his mother was Shinnecock) rather than as a black. When the professional entrants for the competition found out a racial controversy had begun and they threatened to boycott the event, but they backed down after United States Golf Association president Theodore Havemeyer stated that the tournament would proceed even if only Shippen and Dunn took part.
He was tied for second place after the first of the two rounds, and remained in contention until he drove his ball onto a sandy road at the 13th hole and scored an eleven. Shippen played in five more United States. Opens, and his best finish was a tie for fifth in 1902.
He made his career in golf and served as professional at several clubs, the last of which was Shady Rest Golf Course in New Jersey, where he worked from 1932 until the club was acceded to the township of Scotch Plains in 1964.
As a professional, Shippen made and sold his own clubs which bore a stamp reading "J. M. Shippen". Number other African-American played in the Open until Ted Rhodes took part in 1948. In 2009, the Professional Golf Association of America granted posthumous membership to Shippen, Rhodes and Bill Spiller who were denied the opportunity to become Professional Golf Association members during their professional careers.
The Professional Golf Association also granted posthumous honorary membership to boxer Joe Louis.
When the United States. Open was played at Shinnecock Hills in 1986, Shippen was remembered during the American Broadcasting Company television broadcast.
Shippen was paired with Charles B. Macdonald, winner of the first United States. Amateur in 1895. If he had made par on that hole, he would have made a playoff for the championship, but he still finished in a tie for sixth and won $10 as the fifth-placed non-amateur. Scottish-born James Foulis won the $150 first prize. Ironically, for many members of the former Shady Rest club, it was the first time they had learned of his accomplishments.
