Pope - Bruce - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

One of the satisfied farmers of Brown Twp, Montgomery Co is Bruce C. Pope, of the Browns Valley locality; and he should be, for while he does not operate on an extensive scale, he has a neat little farm which keeps him busy and brings in a comfortable income from year to year, so that he and his family live comfortably, and he is devoid of the burdening cares that those who have large business affairs are subject to. Loving the simple life, as advocated by the great preacher-philosopher, Wagner, in the little book which Roosevelt praised and recommended, our subject has no ambition to excel in the race for wealth and renown. Therefore he is happy. Mr. Pope was born in Edgar CO, Ill, Aug 9, 1863. He is a son of Squire W. and Margaret BRUCE Pope. The father was born on Feb 2, 1881 in Kentucky, where he spent his earlier life. In the days of the gold fever, he was one who braved the dangers of the long overland journey across the great plains to California in the early 50s and he remained on the Pacific coast about 5 years, later returning E. and locating in Ill, establishing the family home in Edgar County, where he engaged successfully in farming and where his death occurred on Aug 11, 1903. He often related his interesting experiences in the far West and he was a man who was liked by all who knew him. Margaret Bruce, mentioned above, was born in Indiana in the vicinity of Clinton, Vermillion County, near the Ill state line, and her death occurred in 1903. Two children were born to Squire W and wife, Bruce C of this review and William S. Bruce C. Pope was reared on the home farm in Edgar County Ill and there he did the usual light work and chores when a boy, attending the district schools in the wintertime. On June 15, 1887, he married Mary A. MELOY, who was born in Ill on Dec. 18, 1865 and there she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. Seven children have been born to Mr. & Mrs. Pope, all daughters: Bernice is deceased; Amy, Mary F, Ester L, Margaret, Ruth and Merle. Mr. Pope has always engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of a valuable farm of 80 acres in Brown Township, which is well tiled, fenced and fertilized and all under a high state of cultivation but about 10 acres and on it stands a very good group of buildings. Here out subject has lived since 1904, and since taking up his residence in this community he has made a host of good friends. Politically, he is a Democrat and is loyal in his support of the party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a steward in the same, taking considerable interest in the affairs of the congregation. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order at Waveland, also the Knights of Pythias at Browns Valley and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America - kbz