My Genealogy Hound

HON. JOSEPH C. RUPP. In presenting to the readers of this volume an outline of the life of Hon. Mr. Rupp, we are perpetuating the record of one of Lehigh County’s most honored citizens, one whose abilities are widely known and recognized, and whose public spirit has aided in the progress of his community. In 1893 and 1894 he represented his district in the Lower House of the State Legislature, having been elected to that responsible position in 1892 for a term of two years. He was again nominated in 1894 for a further term, but lost the election from the fact that for the first time in the memory of the oldest inhabitant the county went Republican. The Rupp family was numbered among the early settlers of the Lehigh Valley, where they made settlement in Upper Macungie Township, near Chapman’s Station. Herman Rupp, the great-grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, is said to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Hon. Herman Rupp, our subject’s father, was a farmer by occupation, being thus engaged in his native county of Lehigh. He was a man of some prominence in his district, which he represented in the State Legislature for three terms. He was also Justice of the Peace for years, and served as Brigadier-General in the state militia. Few among the citizens of the county attained greater prominence than did he, and his death, on August 8, 1877, was widely mourned.

Unto Hon. Herman Rupp and his wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Haas, and who was also a native of Lehigh County, there were born eight children, of whom the following now survive: Benjamin, a resident of Upper Milford Township, Lehigh County; Joseph C., of whom we write; Robert R., whose home is in Lehighton; Mary, wife of H. J. Gackenbach, of Allenton; Lewis, living in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County; and Alice, who married Horace Beisel, of Chapman’s Station. Herman and Tilghman died in infancy. The father was one of the most prominent politicians of Upper Macungie Township, and was active in the ranks of the Democratic party.

Hon. Joseph C. Rupp was born in Lehigh County, March 19, 1848. His youthful years were passed upon the home farm, and his schooling was gained in Upper Macungie Township, and in the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Berks County, where he graduated in 1870. Upon completing his studies he commenced to teach school, and was thus engaged for fourteen winter terms in Upper Macungie Township. In 1885 he was elected Recorder of Deeds of Lehigh County, in which capacity he served three years. In 1892, as above stated, he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, and ably and efficiently represented his constituents. He has also filled the position of School Director and Assessor of Upper Macungie Township. Probably no Democrat in the county is more prominent than he, and his counsels are frequently sought by the leading men of the party in this section.

April 14, 1871, Mr. Rupp married Catherine A. Rauch, a native of South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and a daughter of the late Jonas Rauch, formerly a resident of that township. Five children bless this union, Jonas, Charles, Tilghman, Bessie J. and Ella L. For a number of years Mr. Rupp leased his limekiln to other parties, but in 1893 began operating for himself in the kiln. Besides his other interests he has a farm of thirty-two acres. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Fogelsville. He belongs to the Reformed Church of that place, of which he is Secretary.