BIO: John M. Rupp, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER XLVII.

                             HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP.

481  HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP.

  JOHN M. RUPP, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, is one of the descendants 
of John Jonas Rupp, who came to this county from Reihen, grand Duchy of 
Baden, in 1751, and first located in Lancaster County, or what is now 
known as Lebanon County.  He was the progenitor of the numerous family 
of Rupps which are found scattered all over this part of the country.  
From Lebanon he came to Cumberland County, and built the stone house 
now occupied by the subject of this sketch, and lived there until his 
death.  One of his sons was Martin, grandfather of John M., who lived 
for a time on a farm near the stone church, of which he was one of the 
principal builders.  He afterward removed to the Samuel Eberly farm 
where John, father of our subject, was born January 17, 1801.  The 
following April John Jonas Rupp died, and Martin took possession of the 
house, and at his death, in 1843, left it to his son John, who had 
married, in 1840, Anna, daughter of John Markley, who kept the old 
Trindle Spring tavern.  Mr. and Mrs. John Rupp had a family of three 
sons and four daughters, all of whom died young, except Mary, wife of 
Charles Hertzler, and John M.  The subject of this sketch was born in 
March, 1844.  He and his sisters inherited the house and farm on the 
death of their father in 1872.  Mr. Rupp is thus the direct 
representative of the original founder of the family in this county.  
In October, 1873, he married Ellen, daughter of Jacob Spidle, of 
Hampden township, and they have two boys and two girls:  John M., Jr., 
Jacob S., Maggie E. and Naomi; all attending school.  In early life Mr. 
Rupp dealt in patent rights; was also engaged in mining enterprises, 
but now gives his attention and entire time to his farm, which affords 
him ample occupation.  His farm comprises 117 acres, and is one of the 
most fertile in the valley.  He is a member of the Allen & East 
Pennsborough Society for the Recovery of Stolen Horses and Mules, and 
the Detection of Thieves.  He is also a life member of the 
Horticultural Fair Company of Mechanicsburg, where he makes yearly 
exhibits.  Among other curiosities which he has shown there is some 
soap made by his great-grandfather, and a specimen of the first apple-
butter ever made in the county.  He is a member of the Dunkard Church 
in Upper Allen Township, and is a man of excellent report among his 
neighbors.