Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-12-30
Mrs. Upper tho Apiarist.

Mrs. Upper tho Apiarist.
We find in the State Register th'
following interesting biography 0
this distinguished lady:
Mrs. Tupper is well known to til,
reading portion of tho Iowa worlt
as it's queen bee Of all bee-keepers
and her fame as an Apiarist i.
known and acknowledged in every
State, and by the Department of Ag
riculture at Washington. A wo
man, who, by dint of her own brains
and hard work, has achieved so en-
viable reputation, is worthy of the
homage of men who admire tina,
which is so good in woman-strone
knowledge Of and practical applica.
tion to all that may come up in a
busy life. Mrs. Tupper was born in
Providence, Rhode Island, in April,
1882, and removed from there with
the family to Calais, Maine, at about
the age Of fifteen years. Her edu-
cation was such one as the schools
of that day furnished, limited but
thorough. Outside of her school
studies she found time to thoroughly
master both the German and French
languages. In December, 1853, she
was married to her most worthy
husband, Allen Tupper, ESQ, and
removed from Maine to home near
Boston. Seventeen years ago. they
came west and at once pitched their
home at Brighton, in Washington
county, opening up farm, and up
on which they have lived continu-
ously to date. In the trials attend
ing life in new country Mrs. Tup-
per proved herself to be such as Il
man would desire: in a word, she
was true wife and devoted moth
er. At the age of sixteen, she en-
tered the lists opened by the old
Methodist magazine, 7He Moth-
er's assistant and Ioanag Za0y's
FRIEND, and competed with one hun
dred others for the prize of 800 for
the best story suitable for that pub
lication. Though the competition
was so great, and many old writer's
counted therein, her production was
selected rs the best, and was extcn-
sively republished throughout the
New England States. She, of course,
secured the prize and with it the
congratulations Of many scholars Of
note. Other contributions from her
pen appeared in other publications,
but she had no thought of making
the quill the means Of making her
bread, butter, and honey. Eleven
years ago she took up the study of
Bee culture, and Immediately made
it practical by engaging in the work
III 4 manner as extensive as their
means would allow. At this time
her pen earned her the first money
as wages, and it was in this wise:
They wanted the Semi-W eekly
Hawh-Eye at their house, but were
not able to subscribe without drain
ing from a source which was in such
condition that nothing could be
spared. Clark Dunham was at that
time the editor of that paper, and
arrangements were made whereby
the household received the paper,
and Mrs. Tuppcr an additional $40
for her contributions. After this
she successfully competed for sew
eral premiums offered on essays on
bee culture by Agricultural Socie-
ties, and one in particular was the
one which was adopted by the Dc
partment Of Agriculture and pub
lished in the Report for 1865. This
essay has been republished by all
the leading agricultural papers in
America, and has the stamp of an
article that will live. The Govern
ment paid her $500 for the work,
and gave her an endless amount Of
official praise. Seven or eight years
ago Mrs. Upper commenced wri-
ting for the Homestead, and of her
writings in that paper our Iowa peo-
pie are thoroughly acquainted. La
ter her wares found a good demand
in the columns of the Prairie Far
mer, of Chicago, the Ru1al World
of St. Louis, the Heorth and Home
and Bee Keepers Journal of New
York, and other journals. She has
made the care and culture Of pure
Italian Queen Bees speciality, and
there is no one in the country who
is taken as better or as good author
ity on the subject. Her stock is all
imported from the region round
about Lake Como, Italy, and her en-
terprisc has done very much toward
elevating agriculture in the West.
On their farm they keep always one
hundred stand of bees, and it may
be said that it is a small piece OF
land flowing with honey at least, if
not with milk. Their home is one
of the pleasantest, and inside as
well as outside shows the wisdom
and good taste Of its mistress, and
visitors are made to feel themselves
comfortably at home.
Personally, Mrs. Upper is not
handsome, but has the dignity, car
riage, and air about her that tel
you of the presence of cultured
lady. AS a convcrsationalist, she
is active and never lacks for words
on any subject, whether it be one Of
biscuit or bees, or Of art and litera
ture. Her family has furnished
some strong men intellectually, the
Rev. DR.. James Wheaton Smith