RUPP, John - 1890 Bio (1812-1893)

RUPP, BACHMAN, ERICKSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/24/2007 at 20:30:13

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 576-577

John RUPP is now living a retired life on section 24, Lockridge Township, Jefferson County. During his business career, he devoted himself to farming and by industry, economy, perseverance and good management acquired a capital which now enables him to spend his declining years in retirement from labor. He was born near Strasburg, France, on the 23d of January, 1812, and his parents, Joseph and Barbara RUPP, were also natives of that place. Both spent their entire lives in France, the mother dying when John was a lad of fifteen, and the father while he was serving his term in the army. There were six children in the family but our subject is the only one now living.

John RUPP is indeed a self-made man for since the early age of ten years he has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. At that age he began herding cattle and his life was one of hard labor until he entered the army at the age of twenty-one. He served for some five and a half years, doing duty in Paris and on the Spanish frontier. Not long after his term had expired one of the most important events in his career took place, his marriage to Miss Magdalena BACHMAN. He was now twenty-nine years of age, he had a wife depending upon him for support and had little that he could call his own. Although he might provide for their wants in his native land he felt that he could better his financial condition in the New World where opportunities offered were superior to the advantages afforded in the old countries. After a voyage of thirty-nine days, he set foot upon American soil and then continued on his journey to Holmes County, Ohio, where he made his first start in life. For four years he worked by the day, clearing land and having accumulated some surplus capital, he then made an investment in stock and renting a farm devoted his attention to the breeding of hogs and cattle. Continuing to be blessed with a fair degree of prosperity, in 1852 he was enabled to come to Jefferson County, Iowa, and purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lockridge Township, paying $515 for the quarter section. As the tract was still in its primitive condition with not a furrow turned or an improvement made, he rented land one season while he was erecting a dwelling and barns upon his own farm. That work being accomplished he removed to his new home and then began life in earnest. He devoted himself to general farming and became the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of good land which is still in his possession, although he is not now operating it. He could not speak the English language on his arrival in America, but he soon mastered the tongue and by his fair and honest dealing and his evident desire to please those for whom he worked he was not long in obtaining employment. The property which he acquired is but a just recompense for his labors. It surrounds him in old age with the comforts of life and enables him to spend his declining years unharassed by the trials and perplexities of business.

In 1890 Mr. RUPP was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who died on the 24th of April. For more than half a century they had traveled life's journey together and her loss made a desolate home. Mr. RUPP has since lived with his daughter. The following are the children born of their union: Christian, now deceased; Daniel, who is living in Nebraska; John, of Oregon; Henry, who resides on the old homestead; Joseph, now deceased; Jacob, of Colorado; and Magdalena, wife of Charles ERICKSON, a farmer of Lockridge Township, by whom she was four children living. They also lost one child. Mr. RUPP, as was his wife, is a member of the Mennonite Church and a liberal supporter of the work. In politics he has been a stanch Democrat since becoming an American citizen, but takes no active part in political affairs. He has lived an upright life worthy the respect and confidence of all who know him and is an honored citizen, whose life work we are pleased to record in this volume.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.