Soper, Joseph Miles 1815-1891

SOPER, GRAY, SMITH, MERRITT, REEVE

Posted By: Larry Carberry (email)
Date: 3/4/2002 at 09:57:01

Source: 'Franklin Recorder' (Franklin County, Iowa) of May 27, 1891

SOPER - At his residence in Geneva, May 22, 1891, J. M. Soper, aged 76 years, 9 months and 14 days.

Joseph Miles Soper was born in Franklin County, Vermont, August 8, 1815. In 1821 his parents removed to northern New York, then an unbroken wilderness. Until 1851 he resided in St. Lawrence County, NY, when he removed to Lake County, IL where he remained but two years, coming to Iowa in 1853 and locating near where Fairbanks is now in Buchanan County. In 1856 he bought and moved onto the farm in Reeve township upon where he lived so long he became one of the pioneers of Franklin County. Upon this farm he lived for nearly 33 years when he sold it, and removed to Geneva where he died.

Mr. Soper was a thriving, stirring, industrious and energetic man and generally successful in whatever he undertook. In the fight between Maysville and Hampton for the county seat, which lasted for several years, he was one of the principal advocates of Maysville, but accepted the situation without complaint after the fight was over. His home was always a pleasant and hospitable one, and no one ever left hungry. He had a kind heart and was incapable of long holding hard feelings against anyone.

Mr. Soper was three times married. His first wife, Angeline Gray, to whom he was married in 1836, was the mother of his four children: G.W. Soper, of Reeve Township, W.W. Soper of Pomoma, CA, Mrs. Col. Reeve, who died in 1888 and Albert M. Soper, residing in Geneva. Mrs. Soper died in 1869 and he married Mrs. Abigal Smith, a sister of Mrs. Soper in 1870. In 1880 she died and in 1881 he married Mrs. Merritt of Morgan township, who survives him. He leaves 26 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren and an only brother O.P. Soper, of Buchanan County who was present at the funeral.

The funeral service took place at the M. E. Church in Geneva on Saturday last. Rev T.A. Trimble of Geneva read a biographical sketch of his life and Rev. Dr. Clinton preached the funeral discourse.

A large number of old settlers of the county were gathered to pay the tribute of respect to his memory and to look upon the face of their old friend one last time. The burial was in the Maysville Cemetery.