Description

Nathan Updegraff (b. 1795 – d. 1871) was the son of Nathan Updegraff (b. 1759 – d. 1827) and Ann Lupton Updegraff (b. 1767 – d. 1833). He married Cassandra Ballinger (b. 1802 - 1832) on May 30, 1821 and then married Lucina Lupton (b. 1799) on March 27, 1861 in Logan, Ohio. He and Cassandra had six children: William Ballinger (b. 1822 – d. 1899), David (b. 1824 - d. 1922), Ann (b. 1825 - d. 1922), Lydia (b. 1827), Mary (b. 1829 - d. 1853), and Lewis W. (b. April 3, 1832 - d. 1900).

A handwritten note on the back of the photograph is attributed to Nathan’s second wife, Lucina. Much of these notes are indecipherable but indicate that Nathan had been out west buying land for some time. On his return he had this photograph taken before he had his hair cut. Milton Updegraff, a grandson, penned additional notes. He indicated that the original notes were written by Lucina for their son, Lewis and that Lewis had presented the photograph to him May 24, 1890. Milton, who was born in Iowa, was the son of Nathan and Lucina’s son, William. Milton’s biography traces his career as a research astronomer and his assignment to meteorological duty at Whipple Barracks, Prescott, Arizona.

Sources: Find a Grave, Family Search and Astronomical Society of the Pacific, provided by NASA Astrophysics Data System.