Stephen Charles Pope

EYGABROAD, MOORE, POPE, SMITH, WILSON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/12/2005 at 17:50:14

Stephen C. Pope, who is living retired with his son in Jackson township, having earned a period of rest by unremitting and efficient labor in earlier life, is a native of Oneida county, New York, born on the 6th of January, 1842. His father, Stephen Pope, was born in England in July, 1809, and passed away when seventy-nine years of age, in the early part of 1889. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Eygabroad, was born in New York in 1814, and died when eighty-three years of age, in 1897. The father emigrated to the United States in 1835, when a young man, and began farming in the state of New York, but nine years later he removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, with his family, the journey being made by water. In 1857 they came to Webster township, Madison county, Iowa, where the father acquired title to two hundred and forty acres of land, and he resided thereon until his death. He was a democrat and his advice was often sought on matters affecting the public welfare, although he was not an office seeker and was rather retiring in disposition. The Evangelical church found in him a faithful and consistent member. To him and his wife were born ten children, of whom Stephen C. Pope is the eldest.

The last named acquired his elementary education in a log schoolhouse in Stephenson county, Illinois, but much of his time during his boyhood and youth was devoted to farm work, and when twenty-one years of age he became a farm hand in Madison county. In 1870 his financial resources were in such a condition that he was able to begin farming for himself and he has since been numbered among the well-to-do agriculturists of the county. As the years passed his capital increased and he at one time owned five hundred and thirty acres, all in this county. He carried on both general farming and stock-raising, believing that by so doing he secured the greatest profit and eliminated waste to the o-reatest extent. However, he specialized in feeding hogs and found that branch of his activities especially profitable. He has now put aside the cares of active life and is living retired with his son in Jackson township.

In 1868 Mr. Pope married Miss Nancy J. Moore, who was born in Kendall county, Illinois, on the 2ist of October, 1847, and died on the 28th of February, 1911. Her parents were Peter and Mahala (Smith) Moore. The father, who was born in Indiana, was a farmer by occupation and was a pioneer of Madison county, arriving here when white settlers were just beginning to reclaim the land from the wilderness. To Mr. and Mrs. Pope were born three children. John H. married Miss Mary E. Wilson, a native of Iowa county, Iowa, whose father was a blacksmith there and served in the Civil war, enlisting from Knox county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Pope have had five children: Alpha May; Ona Violet, who was born in 1891, and died in 1910; Eva P.; Charles E.; and Harry L. The other children of our subject are Jemina May and Minnie Etta.

Mr. Pope gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. In his early manhood he was a member of the Church of Christ, but helped to organize the Webster Methodist Episcopal church and also contributed generously toward its building fund. Since 1857, or for fifty-eight years, he has resided continuously in this county, and he has witnessed almost the entire development of this section of the state, which has been so rapid as to seem little short of miraculous. He has not been merely a spectator, but has done his share in bringing about the material prosperity and advance in civilization that have characterized the last half century.

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