Abraham Updegraff

     Abraham Updegraff was born on 17 June 1808 at Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.¹ He was the son of Thomas Updegraff and Elizabeth Rothrock. Abraham Updegraff married, at age 26, Maria Elizabeth Peterman, age 17, daughter of Jacob Peterman, on Thursday, 12 February 1835 at Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.¹ Abraham Updegraff died on 17 April 1884 at Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, at age 75 years and 10 months.¹
     He left a will - Will Book 5, page 240 - that was made 29 January 1884, proved 29 April 1884, Williamsport, PA; Elizabeth left a will - Will Book 5, page 556 - made 1 April 1884, proved 30 September 1886, Williamsport, PA.

The following biographical sketch for Abraham Updegraff was found in the 1892 "History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania," by John F. Meginness, editor on page 709. It stated:

     Abraham Updegraff was born in Williamsport, June 17, 1808. In September, 1799, his father, Thomas Updegraff, with his wife and two children, moved up the Susquehanna river in two canoes and located at Williamsport, where he established a tannery and followed that occupation the greater part of his life. At the age of eleven years Abraham was put to work in his father's tannery, where he remained for sixteen years. In the spring of 1834 he entered into partnership in the mercantile business with Jacob Grafius. In April, 1837, he bought the interest of his partner and continued alone for twenty-four years. When the West Branch Bank was organized in 1836, Mr. Updegraff was chosen a director, and served for ten years. In June, 1848, he became president and served in that capacity until 1856, when he resigned. In December, 1863, he was the prime mover in the organization of the First National Bank, and was its first president. He was manager in the first organization of the Williamsport Bridge Company, and remained such until his death. He was one of two persons whom laid out the Williamsport cemetery in 1850, and was the prime mover in establishing Wildwood cemetery, of which he was president at the time of his death. He was for years identified with the lumber interests, and was connected with the Williamsport Water Works. For over twenty years he served as president of the board of trustees of Dickinson Seminary. He was also for about ten years a member of the city council. In 1840 he and his wife became members of the Second Presbyterian church, and for a time he was superintendent of the Lycoming County Sunday School Association. Like his father, Mr. Updegraff was very liberal in his contributions to meritorious objects. His sound judgment, fine business abilities, correct dealings, and accommodating spirit entitled him to a prominent place among the people, and he was always greatly respected and highly honored. He took great care in preserving the memory of his father, and before his death he published a neat little memoriam, and placed therein a portrait of him as a token of his filial affection. February 12, 1835, Mr. Udegraff was married to Elizabeth Peterman, and to this union are living two daughters: Lizzie, the wife of J. M. Black, and Lucy L., the wife of James J. Gibson. Mr. Updegraff was quite successful in business, and died, April 17, 1884, leaving his family property worth many thousand dollars, the result of his upright and frugal dealings.