David Copple

DAVID COPPLE, deceased, was numbered among the honored pioneers of Marion County, having here located with his family in the autumn of 1832. He was born in Germany, and when quite young was brought to America by his parents, who located in North Carolina. They afterward removed to Clark County, Ind., where their last days were spent. In that county David Copple was reared, and when he had attained his majority, he was there united in marriage with Miss Lavina, daughter of John Huckleberry, who was also of German extraction. The mother of Mrs. Copple, however, was of Irish birth.

Our subject and his wife located in Washington County, Ind., about 1818, and fourteen years later came to Illinois, locating in Marion County, where he spent his remaining days. He was one of the valued and leading citizens of this community, and had the high regard of all with whom business or social relations brought him in contact.

His family numbered twelve children, and with one exception all grew to mature years, namely:

James, who lived in this neighborhood and died after having reared a large family.
Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob Breeze, and died leaving a family;
Angeline, wife of Henry Bingaman, a resident of Crete, Neb.;
Eli, who is mentioned later on;
Christina, deceased wife of M. P. Hester;
Samuel and
Harvey, both of whom are now deceased;
Edmund, a resident of Grand Prairie;
Julia, wife of Marion Roper;
David, who is located in Centralia, and
Polly A., wife of David Roper, of Kansas.

Eli Copple, who has resided in Marion County since the days of its early infancy, and for many years has been numbered among its successful farmers, was born in Washington County, Ind., June 8, 1820, and was a lad of only twelve summers when he came with his parents to Marion County. They located on what was then known as the Seven Mile Prairie, and at one time our subject was acquainted with and knew the location of every settler residing upon the Prairie. He was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, and the history of pioneer life is familiar to him.

In 1840 Mr. Copple was united in marriage with Miss Martha Flanagan, and they became the parents of the following children:

Aiminda, wife of William Dolson, of Clinton County, and
Loretta, wife of A. J. Hartley, of Jefferson County.

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Copple married Sarah Dolson, whose father, Allen Dolson, was one of the earliest settlers of Marion County. By their union were bom seven children:

Charles, of Nebraska;
Mary, wife of Joseph Baldridge, of Nance County, Neb.;
Julia, wife of Harvey Baldridge, of Nance County, Neb.;
Willis, who follows farming near the old homestead;
Elmer,
Robert, and
Ada, wife of Sumner Kell, of this county.

When Mr. Copplc started out in life for himself, he located upon the prairie, his father giving him a quarter-section of land, which he at once began to develop and improve. By enterprise, frugality and good management he has steadily worked his way upward, acquiring a handsome competence, and at one time owned two thousand acres of valuable land, over half of which was in one body. He has usually carried on general farming, and his success has been well deserved.

Mr. Copple was a member of the original Farmers Club, which was organized in Marion County at an early day. His first Presidential vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, and since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its stanch supporters.

He and his family are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their home is an elegant brick residence, which was erected in 1872, and at that time was far in advance of any in the county. Mr. Copple is one of the best known citizens of this community, as well as one of its most substantial residents, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his life.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 339- 340
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer