WILLIAM K. SHUPE, one of the most intelligent and enterprising agriculturists of Woodstock township, is a native of the State of Virginia and a son of Peter and Sarah (Wright) Shupe; the date of his birth is October 9, 1824. The father was also born in Virginia and emigrated to this county in 1843; later he went to Iowa, and died there in his fifty-fourth year; his wife was born in Virginia and died in Iowa; they had born to them a family of fifteen children, six of whom are now living. The family is of German lineage, the first ancestors in this country emigrating previous to the war of the Revolution. William K. remained at home until he was twenty years of age, and then worked at the cooper's trade several years. He was united in marriage October 19, 1846, to Miss Mary A. Hoffman, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Myers) Hoffman; her parents removed to this county about 1837, and here passed the rest of their lives; they reared a family of eight children, five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Shupe are the parents of six children: Samuel L. is married and has one son; Sarah A. is married and the mother of four children; George H. is married and has eight children; Mary F. is married and the mother of four children; Martha M. is married and has five children; William J. married his wife died leaving two children.
After his marriage Mr. Shupe settled on the farm he now occupies; he has 120 acres, which he has improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. For many years he lived in a little log cabin, but in 1862 erected his present comfortable dwelling. He carries on general farming business, manages all branches with much wisdom, and reaps the reward of success.
Peter Shupe, father of William K., was in the war of 1812, and several members of the family participated in the late Civil war. Formerly Mr. Shupe was identified with the Democratic party, but now casts his suffrage for the man rather than the party. He has been Assessor for a number of years, and has held other positions of trust and responsibility. He has given attention to the matter of public education, and has served on the school board. He is now practically retired from active business pursuits, the care and management of the farm being in the hands of the younger son.
The first years our subject spent in this section of country were fraught with trials and hardships, such only as are possible in a new and undeveloped community. The journey from the East was made overland; the funds of the family being exhausted, they stopped and the sons split 1,000 rails to secure money to continue the trip which consumed two months. Mr. Shupe is a self made mad in every sense of the word; he has never received financial aid, and his present property has been accumulated entirely through his own efforts. It was through the influence of Mormon preachers that the father was induced to come to the West, and two of his sons pushed their way to Salt Lake, and pitched their tents on the present site of Salt Lake City, July 24, 1847; one of them still lives there, and celebrates the twenty fourth day of July. Mr. Shupe is a man who si fully posted upon current events, is a wide reader, and thoroughly loyal to the interests of his county and State.