Person:William Rupright (3)

In 1870 he was working on a farm; 1880 he was a farmer; 1900 a stock dealer; 1910 a banker; 1920 retired; and 1930 a general farmer.

WILLIAM H. RUPRIGHT, farmer, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, January 19, 1849, son of John and Elizabeth (Dougherty) Rupright. The father and grandfather Rupright were born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; the great-grandfather came from Germany. Only two sons were born in each generation. John Rupright was four years of age when his father left Pennsylvania and settled in Trumbull County. They were among the first pioneers of the county, and the first location was made near Lordstown. George Rupright was a carpenter by trade and one of the first mechanics in the neighborhood. John learned the trade of his father. George Rupright had two sons—John and William; the latter lives on the homestead. John Rupright was married in Trumbull County, and William H. was born in Lordstown before the family came West. In the spring of 1852 his parents located in Preble Township, Adams County, purchasing eighty acres of land upon which no improvements had been made. He built a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet, and began the work of clearing up a farm and making a home for his wife and children. He also worked at his trade to some extent, and erected the first frame house built in the eastern part of Jefferson Township, for Jacob Summers. Mr. and Mrs. Rupright have had seven children, two sons and five daughters—Mary A. is the wife of Alexander White, of Jefferson Township; Elizabeth became the wife of Samuel M. Kreigh, of the same township; Susan married John Rex, of Ossian; Matilda J. married Felix J. Summers, of Jefferson Township; Ida A. is the wife of Sylvester Mills, of Lancaster Township, a native of Adams County; Granville married Miss Mary F. Short, of this county, and resides on the homestead, where the parents also reside, the father aged sixty-three and the mother sixty-one. All the children are well married and have homes and families. When sixteen years of age our subject enlisted in the late war, but was not accepted, and remained at home, engaged in farm work, which he continued as long as he remained under the parental roof. He married Miss Francina Archibald, daughter of Thomas and Phebe (Valentine) Archibald, who were pioneers of this county. The young couple commenced housekeeping on a farm in Adams County. The first purchase of land was made in 1873, it being the farm upon which they now reside. Mr. Rupright became a resident of Wells County in 1876, although he was reared from boyhood within a few rods of the line. He built his house and barn the same year he moved into Jefferson Township. Soon after settling here Mr. Rupright became a member of the stock firm of A. Woodard & Co., which firm, for the past ten years, has done the largest stock business that has been done in the northern part of the county. In 1882 Mr. Rupright was nominated by the Democratic party for county commissioner, to which office he was elected and served four years. He is now serving his second term, and has given the greatest satisfaction. His father, for many years, served in an official capacity in Adams County; he was trustee eleven years, and county commissioner two terms. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Rupright, Granville and Nellie were born in Adams County, and Charles H. and Lulu M. were born in Wells County.

 Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana, Pp. 881-882,

News Item with picture

Some men have a genius for making good deals -- knowing when, what, and how to buy. The firm Hunter & Rupright has succeeded eminently well in increasing its volume of business. As buyers and sellers of live stock, these men have no superiors in the county, and they probably do as much business in their line as any similar firm... Wm. H. Rupright was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, January 19, 1849, son of John and Elizabeth (Dougherty) Rupright -- the descent is German. The Rupright family has always been a pioneer family -- first coming to Ohio (the old strain), then west the younger blood faring forth to Indiana. In the spring of 1852, Mr. Rupright's parents located in Adams county and by sturdy toil, they thrived and prospered. Mr. Rupright when but 16 years of age enlisted for the civil war, but was not accepted and remained at home engaged in farm work. After marriage he commenced housekeeping on a farm in Adams County. The first purchase of land was made in 1873. In 1876, Mr. Rupright became a resident of Wells County. After settling in Jefferson township in the same year, he began to buy stock with A. Woodward & Co. In 1882, he became a county commissioner and served satisfactory several years.

As stated, in 1897, Mr. Rupright became a partner of T. B. Hunter, and the firm is now in a flourishing condition. Both men are fraternally and socially, gentlemen.

 Source: 20th Century Souvenir Edition of the Ossian News, Location: Ossian, pp.73-74.

1. ↑ Biographical and Historical Record of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana. (Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1887).

   Pp. 881-882, includes date and place of birth and parents (incl mother's maiden name).

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Find A Grave.
3.   20th Century Souvenir Edition of the Ossian News, Location: Ossian, Wells County, Indiana. (January 1, 1900).

   Pp. 73-74