Michael Copps
Michael Copps, the owner of a well equipped livery at Charter Oak, is one of the progressive citizens of the community. Through close application and a thorough acquaintance with his chosen calling he has gained a splendid reputation as a business manager and he is also known as one of the most public-spirited men in the community.
He was born in Canada, January 20, 1873, a son of Patrick and Ann (Dolan) Copps. The parents were both of Irish descent and were born in Canada. The father worked in the pineries until 1876 and then came with his family to Iowa and began farming in Shelby county. After three years he removed to Crawford county and continued upon a farm until his retirement in 1889. He lived at Charter Oak until recently but now makes his home with his children, having reached the age of sixty-nine years. The beloved wife and mother died in 1895.
There were thirteen children in the family, twelve of whom are now living: Mary, the wife of Thomas Fairweathers, of Massachusetts; Edward, of Sioux City, Iowa; Michael, of this review; Martha, the wife of Anthony Carroll, of Maxbass, North Dakota; Daniel, of Burke, South Dakota; Anna, who married Antoine Topf, of Dallas, South Dakota; B. Ellen, the wife of Peter Smith, of Plainview, Nebraska; Sarah, who lives in Sioux City, Iowa; Patrick, of Spencer, Nebraska; John, of Charter Oak; Elizabeth, of Kansas; and Thomas, also of. Spencer.
Michael Copps came to Iowa with his parents and received his preliminary education in the public schools, all the children of the family having good educational advantages. At sixteen years of age he began working in the livery establishment at Charter Oak, which he now owns. He worked for wages for seven years and then purchased the place, since which time he has developed it into the most important business of the kind in Charter Oak.
In April, 1900, Mr. Copps was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Hopper, who was born in Chicago in 1877, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Hopper. The parents were married in Chicago and the family came west about 1877, settling in Crawford county. Mr. Hopper engaged in farming until 1905, when he removed to Denison, where he died one year later. The mother passed away in 1902.
Of their family of six children five survive, namely: Margaret. the widow of Lawrence Winans, now living in Charter Oak; Nellie, now Mrs. Michael Copps; Thomas, of South Dakota; Elizabeth, of Charter Oak; and John P., of Sloan, Iowa.
Two children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Copps, Marie Inez, who was born September 9, 1904; and Helen Clara, born April 1908.
Mrs. Copps is a high-school graduate and engaged in teaching for nine years with great success. The members of the family are all connected with the Catholic church. Politically Mr. Copps gives his support to the republican party. He served as constable and for four years past has been a member of the city council. He is identified with Lodge No. 1892, M. W. A., of Charter Oak, and is a sincere believer in its principles of brotherhood. He is a man of good taste and everything about his bam indicates that he gives close attention to his business in all its details. As a result of his efforts to please his patrons their number is increasing until he is at the head of one of the substantial and paying concerns of Charter Oak.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.