Abraham Deupree (deceased) was a native of Kentucky, born in Nicholas County, that state, on the 17th day of June, 1811. His paternal ancestors were French Huguenots, and the family history can be traced back through many generations to the massacre of St. Bartholomew, in which so many Protestants lost their lives. Two members of the family escaped from France, shortly after the massacre, and making their way through England, came to America, and settled in the colony of Virginia. The descendants of these two brothers subsequently emigrated to North Carolina and Kentucky, and from the latter state the father of the subject of this sketch, come to Indiana in 1822, and located near the present site of Edinburg. Soon after the family’s arrival in the new country, the father died, leaving a widow and five small children. Abraham at this time was a mere youth, of twelve or thirteen years. Thus early deprived of this father he was obliged to make his own way in life, and impressed with the necessity of an education he attended such schools as the county afforded, until he was able to teach. For some years he taught school during the winter seasons, and worked on the farm the rest of the year, and by prudent management succeeded in laying the foundation for the comfortable competence, with which his later life was blessed. In 1833, he married Hannah B. Carter, daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Leonard) Carter, of New Jersey, who bore him seven children, six of who are now living. He became a member of the Christian Church of Edinburg, at the time of its organization in 1834, as did also his wife, and until his death was an earnest and consistent Christian, having been licensed to preach in the year 1840. Although he never excelled as a public speaker, yet his talents were far above mediocrity, and by his earnest efforts in behalf of the church, did as much, if not more than any other member, to place it upon its present substantial footing. He was a strict temperance man, abstained from the use of tobacco and intoxicants in all their forms; and shrank not from the performance of any duty for the bettering of condition of his fellow man. He left to mourn his loss, a widow, five children, and sixteen grandchildren. Mrs. Deupree joined the church the same time as her husband, and is the only charter member of the Edinburg congregation, now living.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 412.