Loper, Samuel L.

LOPER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:27:51

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.940

SAMUEL L. LOPER
Samuel L. Loper, a farmer residing on section 9, Otter Township, is a native of this county, having been born here on January 15, 1859, the son of William and Eliza (Graham.) Loper. His parents we're originally from Indiana. His father settled in Warren County in the early '50s [1850s] and the Gra­ham family were among the first settlers of the county. They now live re­tired in Indianola, aged about seventy-five and seventy years respectively. They are the parents of eight children, namely Sarah, Samuel, Frank, Louisa, Mary, Helen, Ray and Mabel. Sarah died in childhood. Samuel is the subject of this review. Frank passed away at the age of four years. Louisa is the wife of W. A. Hastie, a farmer living northwest of Summerset, and they have three children. Mary is the wife of Fred Eno, who conducts a printing es­tablishment in Des Moines, Iowa, and they are the parents of five daughters. Helen is the wife of Sylvester Scott, a farmer residing northeast of Ack­worth, and they have two daughters. Ray, a fruit-grower living near Fresno, California, married Miss Mabel Matthews. Mabel is a stenographer, residing in Des Moines.
Samuel L. Loper received his education in the district schools of his home community, and to the knowledge gained therein he has added the practical experience gained through his contact with various enterprises. He early devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and the success he has attained in this direction has encouraged him to follow up the occupation continuously. He began with very little capital, but with the help of his wife and with a wealth of industry and ambition, which fortunately has been well directed, they have gradually increased their holdings in real estate until they are now the owner of over three hundred acres of Warren County land, much of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. On this he has erected the necessary buildings and added such further improvements as were essen­tial for the profitable conduct of his farm. When he first located here there was no road nor schoolhouse at all convenient to his home, and one of his first efforts was to secure these needed improvements. The general appearance of the surrounding country is an eloquent testimonial to the success with which he and his neighbors have met in this regard.
In 1878 was celebrated the marriage of Samuel L. Loper and Miss Clara Lincoln, a native of Hocking County, Ohio, and daughter of B. A. and Harriet. (Wright) Lincoln. Her parents located in Warren County, Iowa, in 1864 or 1865. Her mother died in Otter Township in 1876. The father later removed to Nebraska, where he died in 1900. They were the parents of six children, Mrs. Loper being the only one who resides in Iowa, she having been reared in this county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Loper have been born eight children, five of whom, Alice, Edith, Lincoln, Juanita and Ardis reside at home. W. Cary is in the west. Mary Ethel is the wife of C. R. Clark, residing in Colorado. They have two children, Leverett and Royal M.. R. D. has leased a part of his father's farm and is conducting it in his own interests. In national affairs Mr. Loper gives his political support to the democracy, but in affairs of local government he votes for men and measures rather than for party, giving his support to those whom he deems most worthy of it.