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Chapman (1880), Liberty Township biographies
“second permanent settler in Liberty tp.” as printed (p. 729); b. 31 July 1811, Somerset Co., Pa., son of Jacob and Ann Rupel, natives of Germany (p. 729). Came to Elkhart County in 1830, wintered there; spring 1831 to near South Bend, when there were but two houses, occupied by Taylor and Coquillard (as transcribed, “or Cutteau”); helped build the (brick) court-house in summer 1832 (pp. 729–730). Moved to Liberty Township in May 1836 (p. 730). M. 10 Jan. 1836 Sarah Meller, daughter of Andrew and Margaret Meller; six children, five living, named; Mrs. Rupel d. 21 Feb. 1875, aged 58 (p. 730). [PROFILE] Carrying fact: a plat-era founder with a biography — and the centre of first-settler conflict C9/C47: Chapman’s narrative makes John Rupel (Jan. 1836) the earlier arrival, this biography calls David “second permanent settler,” and John N. Rupel’s biography (next entry) calls his father John “the first settler.” All three tellings stand whole; none is merged.