Lincoln County, SD Biographies.....Cuppett, William M. 1843 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 26, 2007, 6:17 pm Author: Geo. A. Ogle & Co. (1897) HON. WILLIAM M. CUPPETT is a man of progressive, enlightened views, and his standing as an old settler of the county and a citizen of prominence of Canton is well known. There are few more energetic or wide-awake men to be found among the population of the state than this gentleman, and he is deservedly held in high esteem and respect by his fellowmen. Our subject is a Pennsylvanian by birth and was born in Bedford county, December 26, 1843. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and in 1850 removed with his family to Delaware county, Iowa, settling in the village of Colesburg. Our subject there grew to manhood, learning from his father during his boyhood the vocation of blacksmith, and spending part of his more mature years as an apprentice to a wagon maker. He was serving as his father's assistant when the great civil war broke out, and as his sympathies were with the Union cause he decided that it was his duty to help uphold the national honor. He accordingly enlisted September 22, 1862, in company G, Sixth Iowa regiment, cavalry, and served faithfully until November, 1865, when he was mustered out. The regiment was stationed in the western country, guarding frontier settlers from the depredations of the Indians, and participated in various engagements during the war. Mr. Cuppett was commissary sergeant of his company, and as such received an honorable discharge after being mustered out of service. After the war was over our subject returned to Colesburg, Iowa, and during the winters of 1865 and '66 taught school, at the expiration of which time he established himself in the wagon and carriage manufacturing business in Colesburg. For two years he carried on this enterprise, and then in the spring of 1868 he came to Lincoln county, Dak. Ter., and pre-empted a claim of 160 acres, which is located near where the city of Canton is now situated. He also homesteaded 160 acres adjoining. his pre-emption claim, and in company with others purchased another forty acres, which is now a portion of the Canton town site. He settled on this forty-acre tract in the summer of 1868, building a log house, and the following fall engaged in the mercantile business, which he shortly after sold out. At the general election that fall he was elected register of deeds, he being the first gentleman to fill that office of Lincoln county, and in that capacity he served for two years. At the fall election of 1869 he was elected a member of the territorial legislature, which office he held for two years, and in the fall of 1878 was again elected to the same position for another two years. Mr. Cuppett, was appointed postmaster of Canton in 1868, by President Grant, and three years later, at the expiration of his postmastership, in April, 1871, he was appointed by Judge Kidder, clerk of the district court, and this position he served in until 1885. It will be seen by this record that Mr. Cuppett has had quite a little experience as a civic official, and it is with pleasure that we incorporate in this volume the history of a man who has been so closely and thoroughly identified with the progress and upbuilding of the community. In all the offices which he has held by the grace of his fellow townsmen, he has discharged the duties imposed with characteristic dignity, impartiality, and never failing justice and honesty. He was a leading spirit in the organization and management of the Canton Building association, of which he was secretary, and was instrumental in having the old court house built; this structure is still used as a court room. He served as a member of the local school board for a number of years, and held the positions of president, treasurer and clerk of that body at different times. He is liberal in his religious views, not being a member of any denomination in particular, but using his influence in common with all sects. He was one of a company which organized the first Sunday school in Canton, it being a union school attended by members of all denominations. Socially he belongs to the Silver Star lodge No. 4, and is a member of Siroc Chapter No. 11, F. & A. M., besides holding membership in General Lyon post, No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic. The marriage of our subject to Miss N. E. Martin was celebrated September 1, 1870. Mrs. Cuppett was born in Ashland county, Ohio, February 10, 1S49, and she is a daughter of Mr. Isaac N. Martin, one of the early settlers of Lincoln county, whose biography will be found in another part of this record. Four children have been born to this union, but one, a son, William E., died when six years of age. Those living are known by the following names, viz.: Eva A., who is the wife of Mr. J. H. Luers; Mark W. and Frank P. Additional Comments: Extracted from: MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, SOUTH DAKOTA. Containing Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of Prominent Old Settlers and Representative Citizens, with a Review of their Life Work; their Identity with the Growth and Development of these Counties; Reminiscences of Personal History and Pioneer Life; and other Interesting and Valuable Matter which should be Preserved in History. ILLUSTRATED CHICAGO. GEO. A. OGLE & CO. Publishers, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. 1897. Biography is the only true history.—EMERSON. A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations.—MACAULAY. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/sd/lincoln/bios/cuppett219gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/sdfiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb