Erastus Burrows Soper 1841-1917

SOPER, CORY, ALEXANDER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/1/2013 at 00:04:06

The Sudden Death of Captain E.B. Soper
Expired in His Berth on Sleeper at Kansas City on His Way Home from Hot Springs, Arkansas
He Came to Emmetsburg in the Year of 1876
He was Widely Known as Banker, Lawyer and Church Supporter – Funeral Services Held in M.E. Church on Monday Afternoon
Thursday morning our many citizens were sadly surprised to learn of the sudden death of Capt. E.B. Soper at Kansas City. Mr. and Mrs. Soper were on their way home from Hot Springs, Arkansas, where they spent the greater part of the winter. They enjoyed the day in Kansas City. While there Mr. Soper mailed a letter to his sons to put the old house in condition for their return and about ten o’clock Mr. and Mrs. Soper were driven to the depot. They entered the sleeper and apparently felt hearty. After sitting down for a few moments, Mr. Soper remarked to this wife that he would retire first, as he felt rather tired. In a few moments, he entered his berth. Later she heard him make some noise and, going to the berth, found him unconscious. A closer examination convinced those in the sleeper that he had expired. The body was taken from the car and conveyed to an undertaking establishment. The most unexpected occurrence was a great shock to Mrs. Soper and to the sons and daughter. On receiving the telegram announcing his father’s death, E.B. Soper, Jr., left for Kansas City to accompany home his heart broken mother and the remains of his beloved father.

The remains were brought to Emmetsburg Saturday evening and were taken to his home. Sunday afternoon from three until five they were viewed by hundreds of our citizens who called to see them. The burial was held Monday afternoon at two o’clock. All of our business houses were closed. Our leading citizens kindly assisted by serving on the several committees in arranging details and taking care of the many who came from a distance to be present at the obsequies. Services were conducted at the M.E. church, Rev. C.H. VanMetre officiating. He was assisted by Dr. C.W. Fling, president of Cornell college, and District Superintendent Herbert Clegg, former pastor of Mr. Soper. Rev. J.E. Brereton, pastor of the Congregational church and Dr. LeRoy T. Weeks, pastor of Trinity church, occupied seats close to the pulpit. Banks of floral offerings, the gifts of friends, adorned the space about the pulpit. During the service, a splendid tribute, which is published elsewhere in this issue [entire front page], was read by the officiating pastor, Rev. C.H. VanMetre. Dr. Flint and Supt. Clegg also spoke at some length, referring eulogistically of his high standing as an attorney, financier and citizen, of his earnest zeal for Christian education, and his worth and usefulness as a citizen.

[a portion of the tribute]:
Erastus B. [Burrows] Soper was born in the town of Pitcher, Chenango county, New York, September 15, 1841, and died at Kansas City, March 21, 1917, aged 75 years, 6 months and 6 days.

When six years of age he, together with his parents, moved from New York to Jones county, Iowa. As a young man Mr. Soper attended Western college situated near Cedar Rapids and at the breaking out of the Civil war, in company with a number of young men from the college, went to Cedar Rapids and voluntarily offered their services in the interests of the Union. He first enlisted in the ninety day call, in the First Iowa Infantry, and at the expiration of this time he re-enlisted in the 12th Iowa Infantry and was rapidly promoted from a private in the ranks, until elected as captain of Co. D. He saw four years of valiant service. His record as a soldier was unsullied, and he has ever been intensely interested as a citizen in the welfare of his country. Few men have known the inner history of the civil war as did Captain Soper.

On his return from the war he attended Cornell college at Mt. Vernon and graduated in the class of 1868. He received his Masters Degree in 1871, and was honored by this same institution in 1904 in having conferred upon him the Degree of Doctor of Laws.

He was married in 1867 to Elizabeth Cory and to this happy union there were born three children, Mrs. D.R. Alexander of Estherville, Iowa, E.B. Soper, Jr., and E.H. Soper of Emmetsburg.

After his graduation from Cornell he remained for a time at the college as a professor of mathematics.

From Mt. Vernon he went to Marion where he entered the government pension office and for two years studied law under Colonel Wm. Smyth, who was in charge of the office. He was admitted to the bar in 1871. That year he came to Estherville, Iowa, and began the practice of his chosen profession. In 1876 he opened a law office in Emmetsburg, moving his family to this city in 1879.

Mr. Soper’s first law partner was T.R. Crawford. Later Geo. H. Carr became associated with them, continuing for perhaps ten years, when, he was elected district judge. F.E. Allen of Estherville succeeded Judge Carr as a member of the Emmetsburg law firm, though he was a partner of Mr. Soper at Estherville from 1872, and they continued together at that place until Mr. Allen passed away. Later E. A. Morling entered the Emmetsburg partnership with Messrs. Soper and Allen. Eight years afterward he opened an office for himself. Following the retirement of Mr. Morling, the firm was successively known as Soper, Allen & Alexander, Soper, Alexander & Soper, and Soper, Morse 7 Soper. F.C. Davidson was also engaged in practice with the firm for some time. Mr. Soper was the attorney for the B.C.R. & N. and the Rock Island railway companies for over 32 years and he was for several years the solicitor for the American Investment company which did a very extensive business in ten of twelve states.

Mr. Soper was one of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Emmetsburg and was director and vice-president for several years. In July, 1897, he was elected president of the institution, holding the position until the time of his death. He was president of the First National Bank of Estherville for nearly twenty years, retiring about three years ago. He was for several years president of the First National Bank of Titonka, Iowa, the Standard Savings Bank of Huron, South Dakota, the Provident Savings Bank of Estherville, the State Bank of Armstrong, and savings banks at Gruver, Dolliver, and Huntington. He was a member of the American Bar association and also of the Iowa Bar association. He was for one or two terms commander of Henry Dillon Post of this city. He never sought a city, county or district office.

As has already been stated, Captain Soper began the practice of law in Northwest Iowa in pioneer days. The nearest railroad at first was Fort Dodge. In his practice, he was required to go by team from one county seat to another, frequently making his own road, and to wade through sloughs in the summer time and through the blizzards over trackless prairies, in the winter time. During this period he made a reputation as one of the leading lawyers of Northwest Iowa, a reputation which he maintained and increased after his removal to Emmetsburg when his practice extended into the adjoining states. He was very successful in his professions, especially in chancery and appealed cases.

For forty years Captain Soper has been identified very closely with every interest of this community, but his ability and worth as a man and as a leader has been recognized in ever widening circles, and had he been other than a modest man, unsolicitous and undesirous of the public life, he might have honorably and acceptably filled many positions of trust of a more prominent and public nature.

Mr. Soper has always manifested a great interest in the cause of Christian education. He has been an honored and active trustee of Cornell college since 1877 and in these years has given to her interests largely of his time and means. For the past three years he has been president of the board of trustees. His interests in Morning Side college, at Sioux City, and every church interest within the bounds of his own conference has always been keen and helpful and his memory as a friends and benefactor will be fondly cherished.

But his great investment in the college and in education, has been in the inspiration and encouragement he has given to young men and young women to attain a higher education and to receive a greater vision of life. To this end he has made the way possible to scores of such young people and has directed and helped by his counsel and material assistance in getting them started in the way, that has led to a larger life of service and blessing in the world.

His investments in folks were not along confined to the college and to education. He helped folks everywhere. How many are those who have been in his law office, in his banks, in his close business relationship, and scattered about through the community, rich and poor, who have not been cheered and helped and wisely counseled by this good man.

Captain Soper has left his impress during these years upon the life of this community and it was always for the general good. He has been closely identified with almost every movement of a public nature in the lifetime of our city, and the citizenship of our day and other days have held him in the highest esteem.

Mr. Soper has always lived in the Christian faith and his life has been fruitful unto every good work. Early in his college days he united with the Methodist Episcopal church and has given to that church his love and a loyalty to service. In its varied aspects, that mark him as one of her most distinguished and helpful laymen.

Twice has the church and the Northwest Iowa conference chosen him as a lay delegate to the General Conference, the highest legislative body in the church. The first time in 1901 at Los Angeles and again in 1908 at Baltimore.

But in the home church where he has been best known, he is the most loved. He gave himself in devotion and in helpful interest to the minutest detail of her activities. Through rain or storm or whatever adverse conditions prevailed he was always at his post, for this church to him and to his good companion who remains, held first place in their affections. For more than twenty-five years he taught the Bible class in Sunday school and for nearly forty years has been a member of the board of trustees of the church. He was ever a friend and a loyal supporter of his pastor. He was a natural leader, but in all, a brother and counselor. His memory in this church is indeed precious, and the influence of his life and ministry will live out into the years.

Captain Soper bore the plain marks of one of God’s true noblemen. He was industrious, optimistic, conscientious, clean in thought, life and purpose. He was successful in business but better, successful in making of a good life. He was possessed of a high conception of the stewardship of living and his life has been lived on God’s high level.

Mr. Soper was ideal in his home life. Few men were more devoted as a husband and father. One could always be assured that if the Captain was not in his office or attending strictly to business matters in hand, he would be found at his home, which to him was the dearest spot on earth.

“The one who in his college days he led to the marriage altar, has been with him all through the years to cheer, to inspire, to help in every good work, and has been to him a true helpmate, and with him a blessing to others with whom they have mingled.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying onto me, “Write, Blessed are the dead which died in the lord from henceforth – yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” (Emmetsburg Democrat, Emmetsburg, IA, March 28, 1917)