MARTIN LUTHER RUPERT, constable of Burrell Township, Armstrong county, was born there Sept. 2, 1847, son of Frederick Rupert, and grandson of Peter Rupert, who settled on the farm where his grandson Martin L. Rupert now lives in 1839. The great-grandfather was the first of the Rupert family to own this property.

Frederick Rupert was bom in Burrell township, May 9, 1807, and died in 1885. He followed farming there, and for over twenty years conducted a tannery. He married Rachel Crum, a native of Bethel Townnship, this county, born May 10, 1810, who survived him, dying in 1890. Their family consisted of eight children, five sons and three daughters: Franklin, died when two or three years old; Lavina, died when a little girl; Diana, deceased, was the wife of David P. Crawford; Aaron, who lives at Ford City, married Hannah Spang, and they have eleven children; Simon, who lives in Manor township, this county, married Harriet Knepshield, and they have eight children, four sons and four daughters; Mary Ann, born Sept. 2, 1847, died March 26, 1875; Martin Luther, twin of Mary Ann, is mentioned below; James P., who lives at Salina, Pa., married Louise Schaeffer, and they have two sons and four daughters.

Martin Luther Rupert, son of Frederick was named after the great reformer. He grew to maturity in Burrell township, and has been engaged in farming there, owning the old place of 120 acres which has come down to him from his great-grandfather. He is a man in whom his fellow citizens have shownn confIdence, having chosen him to several positions of trust, the duties of which he has discharged faithfully; he was school director two years and is at present serving as constable, and he is well and favorably known throughout the township. In politics he is connected with the Democratic party.

On April 25, 1872, Mr. Rupert was married, in Plum Creek township. to Margaret Dunmire, who died April 5, 1885, the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Iris D., who died in childhood; Sloan T., who married Lizzie Cochran and lives in Vandergrift, Pa.; Joseph E., who married Anna Nair, and lives in Leechburg, Pa.; and Mary Rachel, who married Louis Knell and died leaving four children.

Mr. Rupert's second marriage, which took place in 1885, was to Sarah Jane Reefer, of Plum Creek Township, by whom he has had six children: Edna Maud. born May 26, 1886. who lives at Leechburg; Elsie Lavina, born March 13. 1888, who is at Vandergrift; Flora Elda, born May 2. 1890. who is at Leechburg; Grace, born Dec. 14, 1893, who is at home; Martin Paul, born Sept. 26, 1897; and Clarence Delbert, born April8, 1909. The Ruperts are member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church, the Brick Church.