Histories

Isaac Copley, after whom Copley township, Knox County Illinois was named, and father of Mrs. Dr. Chalmers died Thursday, November 23, at his home in Walnut Iowa aged 83 years. It is thought his illness was short, because a recent letter speaks of him as attending some simple duties. He was a pioneer settler of Copley township and for a along time resided in Walnut Grove township. He was of patriotic stock. His father, Joseph Copley, served in the war of 1812, and died in 1861 at the age of 84. The son, Isaac, came to Copley township in 1844 and was occupied for a number of years in farming. He next engaged in the general merchandise business in Victoria, and carried this on until the outbreak of the civil war. He then took an active part in arousing public opinion and in enlising volunteers. Many of the latter joined the Seventeenth Illinois Regiment. He and a son-in-law enlisted in company G of the 89th Illinois, while a younger brother joined the 42nd. His health failing him, he was invalided home in October 1862. He spent the winter securing recruits and next April returned to the front, but his health failing again, he was obliged to resign the position of First Lieutenant to which he was elected when the company was organized, and return home. When his health was restored he again secured recruits. His place at the front was taken by his son, William, who enlisted in Company E 112th regiment and served until the end of the war. A grandson, William Copley, served in the Phillipine campaign with the fifty-first. Mr. Copley went to Walnut, Iowa from Walnut Grove township 24 years ago and has sinced resided there. When he visited here a few years ago, he seemed to be sound and sturdy as ever. he was a Republican and a member of the Methodist church. He is very kindly remembered by Knox county friends. The golden wedding anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Copley was celebrated in 1886 and she died three years afterward. They have a large number of descendants. The surviving children are Wm. W, George W. Charles F and Helen of Walnut, Iowa; Dewitt in Nevada, Mrs. Eudora Higgins of Kansas and Mrs. Dr. Chalmers and Mrs. Dr. Tait of this city. The funeral will be held Sunday at Walnut and Mrs. Chalmers expects to attend.

Galesburg, Illinois - November 1905. Submitted on Ancestry.com by ahallmank in 2010.