Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 457-459.

WILLIAM H. RUPRIGHT.

Among the men of the northern part of Wells County who deserve special mention in this work is William H. Rupright, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 19, 1849, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Daugherty) Rupright, natives of Pensylvania [sic], where the paternal grandfather was also born, being of German extraction. The Daugherty family were of Irish origin and were among the pioneers of Ohio, where the parents of William H. Rupright were married. Shortly afterward, in the fall of 1852, being in but indifferent circumstances, they came with their personal effects in the same wagon with another family to the eastern part of Jefferson township, Wells County, Indiana. They lived in an old barn until the father was able to secure eighty acres of land in Preble township, Adams county, and build a cabin. This was deep in the woods, but he was hopeful and industrious, and as the neighborhood began to develop he found plenty of work to do in clearing up his own place and in working as a carpenter, in which capacity he erected nearly all the frame dwellings in his vicinity. Though at first in debt for his land, he prospered and as he was able he added to his purchase until he now owns five hundred acres in Wells and Adams counties. During the Civil war he was an extensive buyer of horses, finding ready sale to the government at a reasonable profit. John Rupright and wife still live on their original farm in Adams county, where he is widely and favorably known as a man of sturdy integrity, whose advice is considered worth having by his fellow citizens, who repose the most implicit confidence in his experience and judgment. In politics he was a Democrat and served for some years in earlier life as county assessor of Adams county. In 1883 he was elected county commissioner, and, meeting with no opposition, at the expiration of his term, was unanimously re-elected, thus giving the public six years' service. The present court house and jail were erected under his watchful supervision, and many other important public improvements inaugurated.

Mrs. Rupright is a member of the Christian church, to the support of which Mr. Rupright is at least a liberal contributors if not a communicant. To them were born seven children: William H.; Granville W., who is one of the most extensive farmers in Adams county and is the present trustee of Preble township; Mary A., wife of Alexander White; Elizabeth, married to Samuel M. Kreigle; Susannah, wife of John W. Rex, of Decatur, Indiana; Matilda, now Mrs. F. J. Summers; and Ida, wife of Sylvester Mills, of Lancaster township.

William H. Rupright helped to clear up his father's farm and to perform such other duties as his strength and age permitted, though he was given the privileges of the common schools during the winter months. He remained on the home farm until twenty-one years old, being married August 11, 1870, to Miss Francina Archbold, a native of Jefferson township, and a daughter of Thomas Archbold. Mr. Rupright then assumed charge of the old homestead, also purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of swamp land, for which he went into debt. This he ditched, converting it into fine farming land. He added to this property until he owned five hundred acres, but this he eventually sold and purchased one hundred acres southeast of Ossian and several properties in the village itself.

Tic the marriage of Mr. Rupright and wife have been born five children, of whom one died in infancy and one at four years of age. The survivors are G. W.: Nellie, still at home; Lola M. was graduated from the Ossian high school in 1901 and is now the wife of Harry Beaty.

Mr. Rupright is one of the leading Democrats of Wells County, and for years has been retained on the county central committee of his party. He served as county commissioner for seven years, during which period the present court house was erected, three hundred miles of pike road constructed and an immense amount of public drainage done. He proved one of the most active and efficient commissioners Wells County has had and, like his father, was ever an advocate of such improvements as will not only enhance the money value of Wells County property, but make it a more desirable place of residence. In 1886 Mr. Rupright purchased a half interest in the Ossian Grist Mill and ran it for two years, when he sold out and returned to his farm. In 1895, however, he again came to Ossian and purchased the fine residence on Mill street which is the center of a generous hospitality. Mr. Rupright has been repeatedly called upon to administer important estates, an evidence of the confidence of his fellow citizens, and in every instance has ably and conscientiously executed the trust confided to him. He has devoted much of his time and attention to the buying and shipping of stock since 1875, and since 1895 has devoted his energies almost exclusively to this line of business, no man having a wider or warmer acquaintance and business relation in this particular sphere of action. He is a member and treasurer of Ossian Lodge No. 297, F. & A. M.