Jacob Pope

EYGABROAD, JEFFERS, POPE, WEEKS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/29/2006 at 15:53:29

Jacob Pope, a representative farmer, residing on section 8, Webster township, was born in Freeport, Illinois, on the 25th of February, 1853, a son of Stephen and Eliza (Eygabroad) Pope, the former a native of England and the latter of New York, more detailed mention of whom will be found in the sketch of Stephen C. Pope, which appears elsewhere in this work.

Jacob Pope was but four years of age when the family removed to Webster township, this county, and he therefore received his education in the district schools of that township. Although the winter months were given over largely to the study of books, the rest of the year was devoted to assisting with the farm work, and in so doing he learned lessons that have proved of incalculable value to him since. He not only gained knowledge concerning practical methods of agriculture but was trained to habits of industry, perseverance and close application, which go far toward insuring success in any line of work. When twenty-one years of age he began farming in Webster township on his own account and m the years that have since passed his resources have increased steadily and he has accumulated a competence. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser and both branches of his business yield a good profit. For fifty-seven years he has resided continuously in Webster township and is now the second oldest settler within its limits.

On the 19th of November, 1904, Mr. Pope married Miss Almyra Weeks, who was born in Monroe township, a daughter of George F. and Almyra (Jeffers) Weeks. Her father was born in Coles county, Illinois, in 1842 and now makes his home with his daughter. He was born and reared upon a farm and in 1859 came to Monroe township, this county, where he devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He still owns land in that township but is leaving its cultivation to others. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served at the front for three years as a teamster. Upon his return from the war he again concentrated his energies upon farming and was successful at that occupation. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and its teachings are the guiding principles of his life. He has been married three times and has eleven children living, Mrs. Pope being the eleventh in order of birth. Her mother, Mrs. Almyra (Jeffers) Weeks, died on the 14th of July, 1883, at the age of thirty-seven years.

Mr. Pope is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and contributes to its support. He has no political aspirations whatever but supports the republican party. He has always felt a strong distaste for publicity, yet quietly and steadfastly performed the tasks that lay before him. He has not only gained a fair measure of prosperity but he has also contributed to the agricultural wealth of the county and his life has in an unostentatious way made for righteousness in the community at large. He remembers many of the happenings in the early days of this county when Winterset was but a small village and when the settlers were almost entirely dependent upon their own resources. When the family came to this state they made the journey with ox team and wagon and on the way saw much land that was as yet undeveloped. Mr. Pope takes pleasure in recalling to mind the conditions of early days and in contrasting them with the prosperity of the present and derives much satisfaction from the thought that he is a representative of a family that aided in laying the foundation upon which the present development is based.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.