Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 548
JOHN COPE, a progressive and enterprising farmer, residing on section 2, Goshen Township, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1832, and is descended on both sides from Pennsylvania ancestry, who were members of the Society of Friends. His parents were William and Sarah ( Dungan ) Cope, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Maryland. In the early days of the history of Ohio they both emigrated to that State, there became acquainted and were married. The father engaged in farming throughout his entire life. In 1854, selling his land in Ohio, he removed to Muscatine County, Ohio, and purchased a farm of 160 acres on section 3, Goshen Township, which he continued to cultivate until his death, which occurred in the month of August, 1872, at the age of seventy-five years. He always took an active part in the political affairs of the community, and was an ardent supporter of the Republican party. Religiously he was a member of the Society of Friends, and a zealous worker for that denomination. His excellent wife survived him for about five years, dying in August, 1877, when seventy-seven years of age.

Our subject grew to manhood upon his father's farm, and received his education in one of the primitive schools of Ohio, built of rough logs. When a young man he determined to cast his lot with the pioneers of Iowa, and emigrated to Muscatine County, but previous to his coming he was united in marriage with Margaret Peden, their union being celebrated in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1857. The lady was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of David and Matilda ( Enlow ) Peden, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and speculator, and owned considerable property. His death occurred in 1859, and his wife died when Mrs. Cope was but twelve years of age. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm, Mr. Cope purchasing sixty acres of raw prairie land in Goshen Township. He immediately began its cultivation and improvement, and by subsequent purchase added to the original tract until now 172 broad acres pay a golden tribute to his care and labor. He carries on general farming, and also raises cattle and horses of a good grade. Politically he is a supporter of the Republican party,but has never been an office-seeker. He takes great interest in the cause of education, and has given his children such advantages as will fit them for the practical duties of this life. He is one of the self-made men of Muscatine County, having by his own efforts of perseverance and industry gained a comfortable competence. One of the early settlers of this community, he has witnessed and participated in the many great changes which have transformed its once wild and uncultivated prairies into beautiful homes and highly improved farms. Civilization and progress have made rapid strides, and to the early settlers the county owes much for her present prosperity and high rank.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cope five children have been born, namely : Emma, wife of Mr. Rowe, a grain buyer, residing in Atalissa ; Mary G., now Mrs. Moffett of Tipton, Iowa,; Charles W., a resident of Onawa, Minona Co., Iowa, was graduated at the Dental School, at Iowa City, Iowa, in 1888, and is now practicing his profession ; William L., is employed as a salesman in Muscatine ; and Frank is yet at home. Mr. Cope has three brothers and three sisters yet living : Charles is married, and resides in Cedar County, Iowa ; Benjamin is married, and resides in Polk County, Iowa ; Isaac, who is the Sheriff of Clay County, Dak, is married and resides at Vermillion ; Mary, now Mrs. Aiken, is living in Cedar County ; Grace, now Mrs. Aiken, resides on the old homestead in Goshen Township ; Sarah Ann, now Mrs. Petty, makes her home in Dallas County, Iowa.

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