BIO: William F. COPP, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips 
 
Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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Donehoo, George P., Editor-in-Chief.  Pennsylvania, A History, 
Vol. 3, Biography.  New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 
1926, page 92.
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  WILLIAM F. COPP - In his enterprising management of the business of the 
Blair Building Material Company, at Altoona, Mr. Copp carries forward very 
successfully the purpose of the founders of a concern long known and 
respected in this part of the State for the reliability of its business 
standards, and now arrived at the most substantial period in its history.  
Pennsylvania builders everywhere are appreciative of this firm and its 
capable manager, as their best interests in construction are catered to in 
the supplies that come from this establishment.  Mr. Copp, in the 
responsible offices he holds in industrial and mercantile organizations, has 
presented continuous proof of his practical value to the business he 
represents and to its many allied interests.  He is the son of Lafayette 
Copp, who was born in Tioga County, and of Katherine (Sullivan) Copp, who 
was born in Elk County, and died in 1879.  Lafayette Copp, who was a farmer 
to the time of his death, which occurred in 1901, was a veteran of the Civil 
War, and served with the 207th Pennsylvania Regiment of Infantry.
  William F. Copp was born April 9, 1874, in Elk County, where he attended 
the public schools.  For ten years afterwards he was engaged in the railroad 
and coal business, and then for a while he was associated with clay 
manufacturing.  In 1920, Mr. Copp joined the interests of the Blair Building 
Materials Company, as partner and manager, and he has so continued to the 
present.  The Blair Building Materials Company was established at Altoona in 
1880 by James A. Dysert, who started with a coal business, and continued 
therein for some years, and about 1885 received J.A. Cannon as a partner, 
and afterward a brother of Mr. Cannon joined the company.  The business was 
conducted under this partnership for a number of years, when Samuel T. Knox 
was taken into the firm, and the name was changed to the Cannon & Knox 
Supply Company.  It thus continued until 1920, when the business was bought 
out from the widows of Mr. Knox and Mr. Cannon, and the name was changed to 
the Blair Building Materials Company, the partners being William F. Copp, 
George E. Prindible, William M. Bosserman, the business headquarters located 
at Nos. 1710 and 1718 Margaret Avenue, where 80,000 square feet of floor 
space are occupied, twenty-five people are employed, and masons', 
plasterers' and roofers' supplies are carried, as well as all materials used 
in building, with the exception of lumber.
  Mr. Copp is president of the Altoona Builders' Supply Club; vice-president 
of the Western Pennsylvania Builders' Supply Association; secretary of 
District No. 1, comprising Blair, Cambria and Bedford counties; member of 
the Altoona Chamber of Commerce; Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association; 
Shrine Club; Blair County Motor Club; Lions Club; and his fraternal 
affiliations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, in all bodies of the 
Scottish Rite, including the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the olent and 
Protective Order of Elks.  He attends the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church.
  William F. Copp married, in 1918, Dorothy S. Sutter, who was born in 
Reynoldsville.