Henry Martin Ruppenthal, Sr.
May 2, 1866 - March 19. 1944
(from information published in the Morgan Messenger at this death)
Henry Martin Ruppenthal, 77, prominent area businessman, fruit grower, and legislator, who retired fourteen years prior to his death, died at the home of his son, Virgil H. Ruppenthal, in LaVale, Maryland, near Cumberland, where he had been residing for two years, on Sunday, March 19 at 1:25 a.m.
As a staunch Republican, he was active in politics in Morgan County and his counsel was often sought by others engaged in politics. He served two terms in the State Legislature, House of Delegates, from 1908 to 1912. From 1912 to 1916 he served as Sheriff and Treasurer of Morgan County.
He was well known as a farmer and orchardist and at one time had the largest apple and peach orchard in this section of the country. He received his home place in the Highland section from his parents, (Heinrich) Henry M. Ruppenthal (1823-1884) and Catherine Fritzman Ruppenthal (1825-1906), who came to this country from the Rhine Valley, in Germany when they were ten years of age.
He was one of the pioneers in growing fruit commercially in Morgan County and took the lead in doing the preliminary work necessary prior to the location of a branch of the Interwoven Stocking Company in Berkeley Springs. For many years he was considered the largest individual owner of real estate in the county. He was a member of the United Brethren Church and the POS of A while that organization had a lodge in the county.
Services were held at the United Brethren Church in Berkeley Springs with the Rev. Dr. Paul Gruver assisted by the Rev. Dr. Walter M. Michael of Cumberland, officiating. Interment was in Greenway Cemetery. Bearers were W. Jack Hunter, Fred Newbraugh, James Carter, Harry VanGosen, Henry Gorrell , and Lawrence Michael.