JOSEPH D. COPE, farmer, P. O. Xenia, was born in Stark County Ohio, January 30, 1835, to Samuel and Hannah D. (Chamberland) Cope. The father was born in Ohio March 10, 1910. His occupation was various. While living in Ohio, he was engaged in the mercantile and tavern business. After moving from Ohio to Wayne County, Ill., in 1853, his business was that of farmer and in saw mill. He died in 1859 in Washington, D. C., while on business there. The mother was born near Wilmington, Del., February 25, 1810, and is still living with her son in Clay County. She is the mother of three children, viz.: Eliza J. (deceased), died in 1854, was twenty-four years of age; Joseph D., our subject; and Louisa L., who died while small. Our subject was reared and educated in Ohio, and began learning the blacksmiith trade before moving to Wayne County, Illinois in 1853. Since coming to Illinois, his principal occupation has been farming. In the fall of 1864, he came to his present farm in Clay County, which contains 160 acres of land, about ninety being in cultivation. September 12, 1859, he was married in Wayne County, Ill., to Miss Maria J. Wickersham. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of Sampson and Antha (Whitaker) Wickersham, who came to Wayne County at an early date. Mrs. Cope died February 6, 1880, and was the mother of nine children, six of whom are now living - Samuel, Lorena, Joseph H., William L., Franklin E., and Carson. (Charles D., Effie J. and Antha, deceased.) Mr. Cope is a member of the John D. Moody Lodge, No. 510, A., F. & A. M., of Inka. He is a member of the Greenback party politics.
Source: 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, page 161.
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