My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL J. COPE. The life record of Mr. Cope demonstrates that Kansas has opportunities for the man of energy and determination, for all that he possesses has been gained through an active and honorable business career in this state. He is now successfully farming in Woodson county, his home being in North township. He was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1846, a son of Jeremiah and Anna (Graff) Cope, both natives of the Keystone state. The father was born in Philadelphia and became a cabinet maker by trade, following that pursuit for many years in order to provide for his wife and children—thirteen in number. He died in Pennsylvania in 1896, when about seventy years of age, and his wife passed away in 1878, when she had completed half a century.

Under the direction of his father Samuel J. Cope learned the cabinet maker’s trade and later he also mastered the business of carpentering, following his dual occupation for about twenty-five years. He spent several years in the building business in Oil City, Pennsylvania. In 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Wilcox, a native of that state, and after five years’ residence there they concluded that in order to get a home of their own they would have to go where land was cheaper. Therefore in 1876 they came to Kansas settling in Woodson county, where Mr. Cope rented a farm for a year after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie about eight miles northwest of Yates Center. Here he now resides and today he has a beautiful place of two hundred and forty acres, all well improved although not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made when he took possession. His cabin home has been replaced by a good residence, a barn has been built and other modern accessories have been added. When they first came to the county Mr. Cope could stand in the cabin door and see the deer cross backward and forward over his land.

In 1879 Mr. Cope concluded to try the mining country and went to Colorado, spending nine years in the wilds and among the blood thirsty Indians of the divide of the Rocky mountains, devoting part of the time to mining, while during the remainder of the period he worked at carpentering. He also spent five years in the operation of a sawmill which he had purchased, but not securing gold as readily as he had anticipated when he went to the mountains he returned to his farm and began its improvement, with the result that he now has one of the most desirable properties in his township. He is a lover of fine horses and only keeps the best grades, which may also be said of his cattle and other stock. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Cope has been blessed with eight children, yet living, namely: Anna, the wife of Asa Miller; Alice, wife of Ernest Farris; Jennie, who married Charles Maclaskey; Foretta, wife of Charles Newman; Judge and Clint and Lottie at home with their parents. In his political affiliations Mr. Cope is a Populist and fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. On entering upon his business career he borrowed the money with which to purchase his tools. Such a condition is in strong contrast to his financial standing today and yet his present enviable position is not the result of inheritance or fortunate environment but has been won through earnest, honest persistent effort.