Biography - Joseph B. Copley
JOSEPH B. COPLEY, for many years a prosperous agriculturalist of Nance
county, has retired from active work and now enjoys a comfortable home in
Fullerton. He is known throughout that part of the state for the deep interest
he has always exhibited in the welfare of his county and vicinity he is a
thorough western citizen, an enthusiastic admirer and firm believer in the
possibilities of Nebraska as a leading state of the Union, and during his
residence here has accumulated a nice property, and gained the respect and
confidence of those with whom he has come in contact in either a business or
social way.
Mr. Copley was born in Delaware county, New York, on May 13, 1853. He was the
fourth in a family of six children born to Joseph H. and Ruth Ann Copley, all of
whom are deceased excepting one sister now living in Colorado and a brother in
Kansas. At the age of five years his parents moved to Knox county, Illinois, and
there he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common and high school
of Alton, Illinois, and as a young man interesting himself in farming. In 1878
he came to Nebraska, locating in Howard county and remained one year, then came
into Nance county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land
on section twenty-five [sic], township sixteen, range seven, built a rough
dwelling and started farming. Although he had a hard time to get along during
the early years, going through all the pioneer experiences in the way of
discouragements from failures of crops, etc., he has been successful in the
main, and is now proprietor of two hundred and twenty-five acres of choice land,
also considerable valuable town property. Mr. Copley is now (1911) serving his
fifth year as treasurer of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Fullerton. This
concern handled two hundred and twenty-seven thousand bushels of grain in 1910.
Mr. Copley is numbered among the earliest settlers in his section, helping to
organize the first Methodist Episcopal church and Sunday school in his
neighborhood. He is now county superintendent of Sabbath schools. The first
church and Sunday school was held in a sod school house, and in 1901 the church
known as Pleasant Valley Methodist Episcopal church was erected.
On August. 28, 1878, Mr. Copley was united in marriage to Miss Sadie E.
Richmond, of Winfield, Kansas, who was a very charming and accomplished lady and
a musician of considerable ability. Her death occurred October 26, 1881.
Mr. Copley married the second time November 1, 1883, taking as his wife, Fannie
M. Ellsworth, of Nance County, who had for some years been a teacher in the
public schools. To them were born four children, three of whom are now living,
namely: Arthur, who married Olive Sherman and is a Nance county farmer, and E.
Marvin, who married Natalie Conard and is now operating subject's farm, and
Leila May, living at home. The Copleys have a pleasant home and a host of warm
friends.
Contributed by Todd Walter, extracted from the 1911 Compendium of History,
Reminiscence and Biography, Nance County, Nebraska.
