David Benjamin Updegraff

David Benjamin Updegraff, also David Updegraff, David B. Updegraff and Rev. David Updegraff (January 24, 1789 – December 20, 1864) was an American Quaker minister, abolitionist and conductor of a station of the Underground Railroad from Ohio.

Biography David Benjamin Updegraff was born the son of Nathan Updegraff, a founder and delegate to Ohio's first constitutional convention, and Anne Updegraff (née Lupton). He descended from a long line of ministers and elders of the Quaker church, which belong to the Op den Graeffs, a German family of Dutch origin. He was a direct descendant of Herman op den Graeff, Mennonite leader of Krefeld, and his grandson Abraham op den Graeff, one of the founders of Germantown and a signer of the first protest against slavery in colonial America in 1688.

Updegraff grew up in Winchester, Virginia, but in 1802 he moved with his family to Mount Pleasant, Jefferson, Ohio. Like his ancestors he owned a farm. He also served as a minister for the Society of Friends (Quakers). In 1812 he married with Rebecca Taylor Updegraff (1790-1867). She worked as a well-regarded Quaker minister. Like his well known Updegraff-ancestors the couple were actively involved in the anti-slavery movement. They were members of the Anti-Slavery League and used their house as a station on the Underground Railroad. It was the home of anti-slavery advocats and temperance lectures.

Literature J. Brent Bill, "David B. Updegraff, Quaker Holiness Preacher" (1983)