My Genealogy Hound

HENRY M. RUPP (deceased) was for many years a prominent citizen of Cumberland county, and a successful merchant in Shiremanstown. Mr. Rupp was born Aug. 2, 1839 on his father’s farm in Hampden township, Cumberland county, son of Henry and Mary (Shelley) Rupp.

Henry Rupp was born in Hampden township, and in addition to farming he operated a warehouse, and did a big business in the coal regions. At the age of sixty-four years he retired to Shiremanstown. He married Mary Shelley, born and reared on the Shelley farm, on the State road, and she passed away at the age of eighty-four. Their children were: Mrs. Reuben Roth, deceased; Daniel, deceased; Barbara, widow of Jonas Shott; John, deceased; George, who died young; Jacob, deceased; Henry M., of this sketch; and Sarah, Mrs. John Huston, of Chicago.

The late Henry M. Rupp assisted on the home farm and attended school at the old Stone Church school, until the age of eighteen years, when he entered his brother Daniel’s store, at Shiremanstown, in the capacity of clerk. After the death of his father, he and his mother opened a store in Shiremanstown, and later he entered into a mercantile partnership with his brother Jacob. The business was successfully and honorably carried on for a number of years. In 1891 Mr. Rupp moved to the residence now occupied by his widow, and there he died, May 26, 1893. His religious rearing had been in the Lutheran faith, but after his marriage, he accompanied his wife to the Church of God, of which she is a member. He was a liberal contributor to the church, and to all worthy undertakings, and was exceedingly charitable. Not only was he a man devoted to his home and family, but he was a kind neighbor and one of the best citizens. He left to mourn, a Christian mother, since deceased, his widow, two sisters and a brother, since deceased, and a host of friends who grieved to lose him from their midst. In politics Mr. Rupp was a Republican. He belonged to the order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment.

Mr. Rupp married Miss Catherine Kister, daughter of Jacob E. and Catherine (Hart) Kister. Jacob E. Kister was born in Newberry township, York county, and was a farmer all his life, which he spent in the place of his birth. He was a son of David and Eve (Epply) Kister, both of York county. On the maternal side, the grandfather of Mrs. Rupp was John Hart, who came to America at the age of eighteen years, married Sarah Vernon, a Quakeress of Chester county, Pa., and settled near Lewisberry, where he died on his own large farm.

Jacob E. and Catherine (Hart) Kister had the following family of children: Sarah Ann, Mrs. Daniel Krone, died in Kansas; Andrew and Webster, both deceased; John S., of California; Eliza Jane, Mrs. Adam Stevens, of York, Pa.; David H., deceased; Jacob, of York county; Priscilla, Mrs. Jacob C. Miller, of Mechanicsburg; Julius, of Harrisburg; and Mrs. Rupp.

The late Mr. Rupp was a man of the highest integrity and was one of the most respected citizens of Shiremanstown. His life was one of duty well performed, and he will long be recalled for his many kind actions and helpful deeds.