An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company,
Spokane, WA. 1905, page 311

SIMPSON COPPLE, who resides about seven miles south from Hood River, is one of
the prosperous farmers of this valley and a skillful fruit raiser. He was born
in Marion county, Illinois, on July 12, 1842, the son of Andrew and Christina
(Fine) Copple, natives of North Carolina and from German extraction. The father
died in Illinois, in 1881. While our subject was studying in the public schools,
the Civil war broke out and he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Illinois
Infantry, under Captain George C. McKee and Colonel W.H.L. Wallace, and fought
through the most of the war. His regiment is well known in history as one of the
hardest fighters in the army and it was so depleted by service that it absorbed
the one hundred and ninth to fill its ranks. Our subject participated in the
fight at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, and through Grant's campaign
and the capture of Vicksburg. He was wounded at Pittsburg Landing where his
regiment lost heavily. His regiment was among the very first to occupy
Vicksburg. On August 15, 1864, he was honorably discharged at Vicksburg and went
to Indianapolis where he attended school then looked after his brother's family
and farm until the latter was through with his service in the war. After that
our subject studied and taught in various places until he married and settled to
farming in Illinois. There he remained until 1886, when he sold and came to Hood
River, landing here on October 10. He bought the right of a squatter to his
present place and. when it reverted to the government from the railroad he
homesteaded it. Since then he has given his attention to farming and fruit
raising and is one of the successful men of the valley.      

He has twenty acres of choice winter apples and has taken prizes many times at
the county and district fairs.      

On June 15, 1868, at Centralia, Illinois, Mr. Copple married Miss Alice F.
Williamson, who was born in Vermilion county, that state. Her parents, Robert E.
and Lydia (Madden) Williamson, were natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, and
of Irish and Welsh extraction, respectively. The father's father was born in
Ireland and was a riverman for many years. Mr. Copple has one brother, Jacob and
one sister, Mrs. Mary E. Sanders, while his wife has four brothers, Thomas J.,
Lina H., John P. and James E. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Copple; Claud E., of the Davenport Lumber Company; Robert A., a merchant and
preacher in Pendleton; Clarence, on his father's farm; Hugh W., a school boy:
Cora L., a teacher in Hood River; Bertha, wife of J.W. Taylor, a captain on the
Columbia; Lillie B., wife of George W. Fisher, in the postoffice in Portland;
Carrie C., teaching in the Hood River graded schools; Edith, a school girl; and
Hugh, also in school. Politically Mr. Copple is a Democrat, or rather has been
until recently he joined the ranks of the Prohibitionists. He has held various
offices in the east but since coming west has not been active in these matters.
His first vote was cast for Lincoln. It is interesting to know that Mr. Copple
was discharged as sergeant and never missed an engagement while with his
regiment. He was in many hard and trying places but showed the true stuff of a
soldier and made a first class record. He and his wife belong to the Christian
church and he is an elder in that denomination.      

Misses Cora and Carrie Copple are very popular educators of Wasco county. The
former has taught six years and the latter has taught three years. Both hold
first class certificates and have their present enviable positions by real merit
and constant attention to the business in hand.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.