JOHN COPLEY - Biography

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Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 351-353

JOHN COPLEY, an esteemed and influential citizen of Sauk County, now retired 
from active labors, residing on his son's farm, was [p 352] for many years a 
successful farmer of Washington Township, wherein he still owns 120 acres of 
well improved land. Mr. COPLEY was born near Brandon, Addison County, VT, 10 
Apr 1825, and was the son of Harvey and Ruth (EMERSON) COPLEY. His 
grandfather, William COPLEY, was of English lineage, and married a daughter 
of Samuel HAND, a wealthy fisherman of MA, and removed to Lewis County, NY, 
where he was accidentally killed by a branch of a tree falling upon him in 
the road. He was the father of five sons and three daughters: Henry, 
Samuel, William, Alexander, Gustavus, Polly, Charlotte and Lois. The father 
of our subject was born in NY, and while a young man went to VT, where he 
died at the age of 59 years. He was a prosperous farmer and exemplary 
citizen. The mother of our subject was born in Rochester [Windsor County], 
VT, and was a daughter of John EMERSON, who was of Scotch lineage, and was 
supposed to have been born in CT. Mrs. COPLEY reached the age of 93 years, 
and died near Grand Forks [Grand Forks County], ND. This worthy couple were 
the parents of seven children, who reached the age of maturity, as follows: 
Hannah, now Mrs. E. S. DRAKE, of Richland Center [Richland County], WI; John, 
our subject; George, who was murdered by a robber whom he was trying to 
capture in ID, about 1865; Adaline, now Mrs. Samuel E. DRAKE, of Richland 
Center, WI; Lois, now Mrs. William SHELDEN, of Richland Center; Mary, now 
Mrs. Rufus SMITH, of Pittsfield [Rutland County], VT; and Electa, now Mrs. 
William CAPPS, residing near Grand Forks [Grand Forks County], ND.

John COPLEY began to earn his own livelihood when he attained his majority, 
and spent eight months in a carpet factory at Lowell [Middlesex County], MA, 
after which he engaged in farming in VT. He came to Sauk County, WI, in the 
spring of 1872, and settled in Washington Township, where he has since 
resided. He owns and fomerly operated 120 acres of land, most of which is 
tillable. Since Mar 1899 he has lived in retirement on his son's farm, near 
the old homestead and in the same township. The estate is well improved, and 
he made a success of his vocation, and is enjoying a well deserved rest.

Mr. COPLEY was married in 1852 to Lura A. CARLISLE, daughter of William and 
Saphronia CARLISLE, of Goshen [probably Goshen, Addison County, not Goshen, 
Orange County], VT. Mrs. COPLEY died in 1857, leaving three children, all of 
whom died of diphtheria within one week, in 1861. Mr. COPLEY married Sarah 
Jane PARKER, of Rochester, VT, in 1862. Mrs. COPLEY was born in Rochester 
[Windsor County], VT, and was a daughter of Stephen and Betsy (COLLIER) 
PARKER. Her father was a native of NH, and spent most of his life on a farm 
in VT, and was a son of Stephen PARKER, who served in the Continental army. 
Mrs. COPLEY's mother was born in Middlebury [Addison County], VT, and was a 
daughter of Asa and Abagail (ADAMS) COLLIER, who were natives of CT. Mrs. 
COPLEY has one brother, George PARKER, now residing at Hubbleton, VT 
[Hubbardton, Rutland County, VT?]. One son and one daughter have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. COPLEY: George William, a well-known farmer of Washington 
Township, and Jane Lura, who married George SELDEN, of West Superior [Douglas 
County], WI. She was born 05 Dec 1865, and died 30 Apr 1900, leaving six 
children, three boys and three girls. Mr. COPLEY has been a prominent 
citizen wherever he has chosen to make his home, and while a resident of VT 
served as supervisor and assessor of Goshen township, and has filled the same 
offices in Washington Township, Sauk County, since [p 353] locating in WI. 
He is active in his work for the welfare of his community, and is a respected 
and honored citizen. For some time he supported the Greenback party, but for 
many years past has identified himself with the Republican party and its 
principles.