BIO: Jacob Rupley EBY, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 238.
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  EBY, JACOB RUPLEY, the son of Ephraim C. Eby (1783-1838) and Susanna 
Rupley (1784-1844), was born November 18, 1816, at Columbia, Lancaster 
county, Pa.  His father, born near Lancaster, was a miller by 
occupation, and belonged to the Mennonites - "never went to law and 
never voted."  He had seven children.  Ephraim C. Eby died at 
Middletown, owning at the time the mill at Highspire.  Jacob R. was 
brought up to the business of his father until the age of fifteen, in 
the meantime enjoying the advantages of the education afforded by the 
pay-schools of that day.  He learned the trade of a carpenter.  After 
serving his apprenticeship he took a trip South, working at his trade, 
returning, however, at the end of ten months, when he entered 
mercantile life.  While thus engaged, Messrs. Cameron, Lauman & Clark, 
who were building the improvements at Wrightsville, known as the Tide-
water canal and Columbia dam, offered him a position which he accepted.  
This gave him an insight into the building of public works, when his 
industry, integrity and capacity attracted the favorable notice of a 
prominent lumber merchant of Middletown, who gave him an interest in 
his business simply on account of his superior qualifications and 
without requiring the investment of capital.  He retained this valuable 
position for six years, when he disposed of his interest to advantage, 
and with his brother E. C. Eby purchased the stock and good-will of the 
grocery and forwarding business of John H. Brant, on one of the best 
sites in that city.  The business subsequently was conducted by himself 
and sons.  A fixed, indestructible purpose, a determination to excel, 
were the active agencies which led to his prosperous career.  He was 
eminently the architect of his own fortune - a self-made man.  Mr. Eby 
was largely interested in many of the industrial establishments of the 
city, being a stockholder and director of the Harrisburg car and 
machine and foundry works.  He was president for several years of the 
First National Bank and likewise of the State Agricultural Society.  He 
was warmly devoted to the interest of the young, and among them was a 
particular favorite for his pleasing manners and kindness of heart.  
For thirty years he had been connected with the First Lutheran Sunday-
school, either as teacher or superintendent, at the time of his death 
being in charge of the third department.  During all those years his 
walk in life was eminently consistent.  He was at the time of his death 
a prison inspector, which position he held for many years.  He died 
February 11, 1883, at Harrisburg, in his sixty-seventy year.  Mr. Eby 
was married in 1843 to Elizabeth Gross, who survived him.  They had 
three children, Maurice, William Howard, and Fannie.