Deseret Evening News
Monday, December 30, 1889
The Death of Francis Cope
Probably the heart of every man, woman or child who had the pleasure of an acquaintance with Francis Cope will vibrate with emotion on learning that the most estimable man expired at his residence, in the Eighteenth Ward, this city, at 11 o'clock last night, Dec. 29, 1889. The cause of death was heart-trouble, although his lungs were also affected. It is not too much to say, however, that his demise was probably hastened many years by overwork, for he was simply indefatigable. He had been ailing and suffering terribly for over seven weeks, but his unconquerable will caused him to struggle on until the vital energies gave out, and he was compelled at last to remain at home during the last few days.
Brother Cope was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, on March 30, 1847, and was consequently not quite forty-three years of age. His father was the proprietor of a brass foundry, and he was employed in keeping the accounts of the establishment and working occasionally at the business. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1866, and shortly after his confirmation he received a personal testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith.
He with his family came to Utah in 1869, arriving August 20 of that year. In the early spring of 1879 he was called to serve a mission to England. He left home in March and arrived in Liverpool in the beginning of April. He was placed in charge of the business department at the emigration and publishing office of the European Mission. Besides attending faithfully to these duties he was assiduous in preaching the Gospel in various parts of his native country. He was absent nearly two years, returning home at the close of 1880. He was for some time a member of the Bishopric of the Sixteenth Ward, this city, being Counselor to Bishop Fred. Kesler, and was released from that position when he removed his residence to the Eighteenth Ward, in the summer of 1888. Mr. Cope was elected alderman from the third municipal precinct of this city in the spring of 1886, and served in that capacity with marked ability till 1888. He was at the time of his death a member of the Board of Directors of the Latter-Day Saints College in this city.
Shortly after his arrival in Utah in 1869 Brother Cope accepted of an engagement offered by Hon. John W. Young, to work on a construction contract on the Utah Central Railway, acting as time-keeper, commissariat and general agent. At one time the company was in a straitened financial situation and consequently was behind in the payment of employees. A large number of them at work between here and Ogden threatened to leave in a body, and feeling ran rather high. In the heat of the difficulty Brother Cope appeared on the scene and by his pacific and gentle demeanor, combined with lucid explanations, at giving which he was remarkably adroit, the men agreed to remain and a strike was by his influence averted.
His ability in railroad matters was so marked, his fidelity to the interests of his employers so unfailing and his manners so engaging, that he kept on climbing from one position to another-from time-keeper and commissariat to the chief clerkship, station agent and train dispatcher, general freight and passenger agent, and finally the important appointment which he held at the time of his demise-General Freight and Passenger Agent of the Utah Division of the Union Pacific Railway. This appointment was a well-merited recognition of his eminent capacity and impeachable character. Many have held that in the matter of working ability as a railroad man he had no superior in America. Be that as it may, he was any way an expert in that line of business. His mind was remarkably adapted for it.
In the innumerable differences that arise between departments and different divisions and lines he was well nigh invincible, rarely ever falling short of gaining the point he desired to establish. The reason for this was that in the first place he invariably aimed to be fair, and therefore always reached a conclusion regarding the justice of a controversy. The next part of the process was to consider all the plausible points that could be raised by the other side. He then set to work to reason them out of existence, concluding by setting up in a strong light his own points. The general result was that the other party surrendered.
Mr. Cope was as gifted socially as in business, to know him was to love him. To say that his manner was winning scarcely expresses it sufficiently strong. He had the rare faculty of being able to decline an unreasonable request made of him in such a way as to completely draw out the sting of refusal. As an incident in point, a gentleman who asked a railroad favor which could not consistently be accorded, remarked when it was declined, "Why, it is a pleasure even to be refused a request by you."
Mrs. Cope, who is stricken with grief at the demise of her husband, has been his faithful and sole attendant during his illness, never leaving his side to the last. yesterday he said he wished to leave the sick room and go into the dining apartment. He did so and approached the mantel-shelf, placed his hands upon it, and gazed at the reflection of himself in the mirror. He then remarked, "My dear, I am going to die." He seemed to have had a premonition of the approach of the end for some time past. He had never manifested during his life any special desire to make money, but of late his mind seemed to take a sudden bent in that direction, because he wished, as he expressed it, to place his family in a better position financially. He also informed his wife that he would prefer to die rather than live and be sickly, as in that condition there seemed to be no special object in living, because it involved a cessation of usefulness. He expired peacefully, without even a tremor, merely ceasing to breathe, as the noble spirit left its tenement of clay. His is the third death that has occurred in the family in the last four weeks, two of his sisters having passed away during that time. His death created a profound sensation in railroad circles here, especially among his immediate associates, by whom he was held in the highest esteem.
He leaves besides his wife, eight children and one grand-child. The family are in the greatest distress at the departure of one of the gentlest of husbands and kindest of fathers. There will be much symp0athy in the community for them in their bereavement.
Francis Cope was a gem of a man, capable in his operations, strong in his religious faith, just in his dealings, broad in his sympathies, gentle in his deportment and strong in his convictions, to which he was unfalteringly true.
The funeral service will be held in the Eighteenth Ward Chapel, at one o'clock on Wednesday, January 1, 1890.
Monday, December 30, 1889
The Death of Francis Cope
Probably the heart of every man, woman or child who had the pleasure of an acquaintance with Francis Cope will vibrate with emotion on learning that the most estimable man expired at his residence, in the Eighteenth Ward, this city, at 11 o'clock last night, Dec. 29, 1889. The cause of death was heart-trouble, although his lungs were also affected. It is not too much to say, however, that his demise was probably hastened many years by overwork, for he was simply indefatigable. He had been ailing and suffering terribly for over seven weeks, but his unconquerable will caused him to struggle on until the vital energies gave out, and he was compelled at last to remain at home during the last few days.
Brother Cope was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, on March 30, 1847, and was consequently not quite forty-three years of age. His father was the proprietor of a brass foundry, and he was employed in keeping the accounts of the establishment and working occasionally at the business. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1866, and shortly after his confirmation he received a personal testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith.
He with his family came to Utah in 1869, arriving August 20 of that year. In the early spring of 1879 he was called to serve a mission to England. He left home in March and arrived in Liverpool in the beginning of April. He was placed in charge of the business department at the emigration and publishing office of the European Mission. Besides attending faithfully to these duties he was assiduous in preaching the Gospel in various parts of his native country. He was absent nearly two years, returning home at the close of 1880. He was for some time a member of the Bishopric of the Sixteenth Ward, this city, being Counselor to Bishop Fred. Kesler, and was released from that position when he removed his residence to the Eighteenth Ward, in the summer of 1888. Mr. Cope was elected alderman from the third municipal precinct of this city in the spring of 1886, and served in that capacity with marked ability till 1888. He was at the time of his death a member of the Board of Directors of the Latter-Day Saints College in this city.
Shortly after his arrival in Utah in 1869 Brother Cope accepted of an engagement offered by Hon. John W. Young, to work on a construction contract on the Utah Central Railway, acting as time-keeper, commissariat and general agent. At one time the company was in a straitened financial situation and consequently was behind in the payment of employees. A large number of them at work between here and Ogden threatened to leave in a body, and feeling ran rather high. In the heat of the difficulty Brother Cope appeared on the scene and by his pacific and gentle demeanor, combined with lucid explanations, at giving which he was remarkably adroit, the men agreed to remain and a strike was by his influence averted.
His ability in railroad matters was so marked, his fidelity to the interests of his employers so unfailing and his manners so engaging, that he kept on climbing from one position to another-from time-keeper and commissariat to the chief clerkship, station agent and train dispatcher, general freight and passenger agent, and finally the important appointment which he held at the time of his demise-General Freight and Passenger Agent of the Utah Division of the Union Pacific Railway. This appointment was a well-merited recognition of his eminent capacity and impeachable character. Many have held that in the matter of working ability as a railroad man he had no superior in America. Be that as it may, he was any way an expert in that line of business. His mind was remarkably adapted for it.
In the innumerable differences that arise between departments and different divisions and lines he was well nigh invincible, rarely ever falling short of gaining the point he desired to establish. The reason for this was that in the first place he invariably aimed to be fair, and therefore always reached a conclusion regarding the justice of a controversy. The next part of the process was to consider all the plausible points that could be raised by the other side. He then set to work to reason them out of existence, concluding by setting up in a strong light his own points. The general result was that the other party surrendered.
Mr. Cope was as gifted socially as in business, to know him was to love him. To say that his manner was winning scarcely expresses it sufficiently strong. He had the rare faculty of being able to decline an unreasonable request made of him in such a way as to completely draw out the sting of refusal. As an incident in point, a gentleman who asked a railroad favor which could not consistently be accorded, remarked when it was declined, "Why, it is a pleasure even to be refused a request by you."
Mrs. Cope, who is stricken with grief at the demise of her husband, has been his faithful and sole attendant during his illness, never leaving his side to the last. yesterday he said he wished to leave the sick room and go into the dining apartment. He did so and approached the mantel-shelf, placed his hands upon it, and gazed at the reflection of himself in the mirror. He then remarked, "My dear, I am going to die." He seemed to have had a premonition of the approach of the end for some time past. He had never manifested during his life any special desire to make money, but of late his mind seemed to take a sudden bent in that direction, because he wished, as he expressed it, to place his family in a better position financially. He also informed his wife that he would prefer to die rather than live and be sickly, as in that condition there seemed to be no special object in living, because it involved a cessation of usefulness. He expired peacefully, without even a tremor, merely ceasing to breathe, as the noble spirit left its tenement of clay. His is the third death that has occurred in the family in the last four weeks, two of his sisters having passed away during that time. His death created a profound sensation in railroad circles here, especially among his immediate associates, by whom he was held in the highest esteem.
He leaves besides his wife, eight children and one grand-child. The family are in the greatest distress at the departure of one of the gentlest of husbands and kindest of fathers. There will be much symp0athy in the community for them in their bereavement.
Francis Cope was a gem of a man, capable in his operations, strong in his religious faith, just in his dealings, broad in his sympathies, gentle in his deportment and strong in his convictions, to which he was unfalteringly true.
The funeral service will be held in the Eighteenth Ward Chapel, at one o'clock on Wednesday, January 1, 1890.
Deseret Evening News
Monday, December 30, 1889
The Death of Francis Cope
Probably the heart of every man, woman or child who had the pleasure of an acquaintance with Francis Cope will vibrate with emotion on learning that the most estimable man expired at his residence, in the Eighteenth Ward, this city, at 11 o'clock last night, Dec. 29, 1889. The cause of death was heart-trouble, although his lungs were also affected. It is not too much to say, however, that his demise was probably hastened many years by overwork, for he was simply indefatigable. He had been ailing and suffering terribly for over seven weeks, but his unconquerable will caused him to struggle on until the vital energies gave out, and he was compelled at last to remain at home during the last few days.
Brother Cope was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, on March 30, 1847, and was consequently not quite forty-three years of age. His father was the proprietor of a brass foundry, and he was employed in keeping the accounts of the establishment and working occasionally at the business. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1866, and shortly after his confirmation he received a personal testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith.
He with his family came to Utah in 1869, arriving August 20 of that year. In the early spring of 1879 he was called to serve a mission to England. He left home in March and arrived in Liverpool in the beginning of April. He was placed in charge of the business department at the emigration and publishing office of the European Mission. Besides attending faithfully to these duties he was assiduous in preaching the Gospel in various parts of his native country. He was absent nearly two years, returning home at the close of 1880. He was for some time a member of the Bishopric of the Sixteenth Ward, this city, being Counselor to Bishop Fred. Kesler, and was released from that position when he removed his residence to the Eighteenth Ward, in the summer of 1888. Mr. Cope was elected alderman from the third municipal precinct of this city in the spring of 1886, and served in that capacity with marked ability till 1888. He was at the time of his death a member of the Board of Directors of the Latter-Day Saints College in this city.
Shortly after his arrival in Utah in 1869 Brother Cope accepted of an engagement offered by Hon. John W. Young, to work on a construction contract on the Utah Central Railway, acting as time-keeper, commissariat and general agent. At one time the company was in a straitened financial situation and consequently was behind in the payment of employees. A large number of them at work between here and Ogden threatened to leave in a body, and feeling ran rather high. In the heat of the difficulty Brother Cope appeared on the scene and by his pacific and gentle demeanor, combined with lucid explanations, at giving which he was remarkably adroit, the men agreed to remain and a strike was by his influence averted.
His ability in railroad matters was so marked, his fidelity to the interests of his employers so unfailing and his manners so engaging, that he kept on climbing from one position to another-from time-keeper and commissariat to the chief clerkship, station agent and train dispatcher, general freight and passenger agent, and finally the important appointment which he held at the time of his demise-General Freight and Passenger Agent of the Utah Division of the Union Pacific Railway. This appointment was a well-merited recognition of his eminent capacity and impeachable character. Many have held that in the matter of working ability as a railroad man he had no superior in America. Be that as it may, he was any way an expert in that line of business. His mind was remarkably adapted for it.
In the innumerable differences that arise between departments and different divisions and lines he was well nigh invincible, rarely ever falling short of gaining the point he desired to establish. The reason for this was that in the first place he invariably aimed to be fair, and therefore always reached a conclusion regarding the justice of a controversy. The next part of the process was to consider all the plausible points that could be raised by the other side. He then set to work to reason them out of existence, concluding by setting up in a strong light his own points. The general result was that the other party surrendered.
Mr. Cope was as gifted socially as in business, to know him was to love him. To say that his manner was winning scarcely expresses it sufficiently strong. He had the rare faculty of being able to decline an unreasonable request made of him in such a way as to completely draw out the sting of refusal. As an incident in point, a gentleman who asked a railroad favor which could not consistently be accorded, remarked when it was declined, "Why, it is a pleasure even to be refused a request by you."
Mrs. Cope, who is stricken with grief at the demise of her husband, has been his faithful and sole attendant during his illness, never leaving his side to the last. yesterday he said he wished to leave the sick room and go into the dining apartment. He did so and approached the mantel-shelf, placed his hands upon it, and gazed at the reflection of himself in the mirror. He then remarked, "My dear, I am going to die." He seemed to have had a premonition of the approach of the end for some time past. He had never manifested during his life any special desire to make money, but of late his mind seemed to take a sudden bent in that direction, because he wished, as he expressed it, to place his family in a better position financially. He also informed his wife that he would prefer to die rather than live and be sickly, as in that condition there seemed to be no special object in living, because it involved a cessation of usefulness. He expired peacefully, without even a tremor, merely ceasing to breathe, as the noble spirit left its tenement of clay. His is the third death that has occurred in the family in the last four weeks, two of his sisters having passed away during that time. His death created a profound sensation in railroad circles here, especially among his immediate associates, by whom he was held in the highest esteem.
He leaves besides his wife, eight children and one grand-child. The family are in the greatest distress at the departure of one of the gentlest of husbands and kindest of fathers. There will be much symp0athy in the community for them in their bereavement.
Francis Cope was a gem of a man, capable in his operations, strong in his religious faith, just in his dealings, broad in his sympathies, gentle in his deportment and strong in his convictions, to which he was unfalteringly true.
The funeral service will be held in the Eighteenth Ward Chapel, at one o'clock on Wednesday, January 1, 1890.
Monday, December 30, 1889
The Death of Francis Cope
Probably the heart of every man, woman or child who had the pleasure of an acquaintance with Francis Cope will vibrate with emotion on learning that the most estimable man expired at his residence, in the Eighteenth Ward, this city, at 11 o'clock last night, Dec. 29, 1889. The cause of death was heart-trouble, although his lungs were also affected. It is not too much to say, however, that his demise was probably hastened many years by overwork, for he was simply indefatigable. He had been ailing and suffering terribly for over seven weeks, but his unconquerable will caused him to struggle on until the vital energies gave out, and he was compelled at last to remain at home during the last few days.
Brother Cope was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, on March 30, 1847, and was consequently not quite forty-three years of age. His father was the proprietor of a brass foundry, and he was employed in keeping the accounts of the establishment and working occasionally at the business. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1866, and shortly after his confirmation he received a personal testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith.
He with his family came to Utah in 1869, arriving August 20 of that year. In the early spring of 1879 he was called to serve a mission to England. He left home in March and arrived in Liverpool in the beginning of April. He was placed in charge of the business department at the emigration and publishing office of the European Mission. Besides attending faithfully to these duties he was assiduous in preaching the Gospel in various parts of his native country. He was absent nearly two years, returning home at the close of 1880. He was for some time a member of the Bishopric of the Sixteenth Ward, this city, being Counselor to Bishop Fred. Kesler, and was released from that position when he removed his residence to the Eighteenth Ward, in the summer of 1888. Mr. Cope was elected alderman from the third municipal precinct of this city in the spring of 1886, and served in that capacity with marked ability till 1888. He was at the time of his death a member of the Board of Directors of the Latter-Day Saints College in this city.
Shortly after his arrival in Utah in 1869 Brother Cope accepted of an engagement offered by Hon. John W. Young, to work on a construction contract on the Utah Central Railway, acting as time-keeper, commissariat and general agent. At one time the company was in a straitened financial situation and consequently was behind in the payment of employees. A large number of them at work between here and Ogden threatened to leave in a body, and feeling ran rather high. In the heat of the difficulty Brother Cope appeared on the scene and by his pacific and gentle demeanor, combined with lucid explanations, at giving which he was remarkably adroit, the men agreed to remain and a strike was by his influence averted.
His ability in railroad matters was so marked, his fidelity to the interests of his employers so unfailing and his manners so engaging, that he kept on climbing from one position to another-from time-keeper and commissariat to the chief clerkship, station agent and train dispatcher, general freight and passenger agent, and finally the important appointment which he held at the time of his demise-General Freight and Passenger Agent of the Utah Division of the Union Pacific Railway. This appointment was a well-merited recognition of his eminent capacity and impeachable character. Many have held that in the matter of working ability as a railroad man he had no superior in America. Be that as it may, he was any way an expert in that line of business. His mind was remarkably adapted for it.
In the innumerable differences that arise between departments and different divisions and lines he was well nigh invincible, rarely ever falling short of gaining the point he desired to establish. The reason for this was that in the first place he invariably aimed to be fair, and therefore always reached a conclusion regarding the justice of a controversy. The next part of the process was to consider all the plausible points that could be raised by the other side. He then set to work to reason them out of existence, concluding by setting up in a strong light his own points. The general result was that the other party surrendered.
Mr. Cope was as gifted socially as in business, to know him was to love him. To say that his manner was winning scarcely expresses it sufficiently strong. He had the rare faculty of being able to decline an unreasonable request made of him in such a way as to completely draw out the sting of refusal. As an incident in point, a gentleman who asked a railroad favor which could not consistently be accorded, remarked when it was declined, "Why, it is a pleasure even to be refused a request by you."
Mrs. Cope, who is stricken with grief at the demise of her husband, has been his faithful and sole attendant during his illness, never leaving his side to the last. yesterday he said he wished to leave the sick room and go into the dining apartment. He did so and approached the mantel-shelf, placed his hands upon it, and gazed at the reflection of himself in the mirror. He then remarked, "My dear, I am going to die." He seemed to have had a premonition of the approach of the end for some time past. He had never manifested during his life any special desire to make money, but of late his mind seemed to take a sudden bent in that direction, because he wished, as he expressed it, to place his family in a better position financially. He also informed his wife that he would prefer to die rather than live and be sickly, as in that condition there seemed to be no special object in living, because it involved a cessation of usefulness. He expired peacefully, without even a tremor, merely ceasing to breathe, as the noble spirit left its tenement of clay. His is the third death that has occurred in the family in the last four weeks, two of his sisters having passed away during that time. His death created a profound sensation in railroad circles here, especially among his immediate associates, by whom he was held in the highest esteem.
He leaves besides his wife, eight children and one grand-child. The family are in the greatest distress at the departure of one of the gentlest of husbands and kindest of fathers. There will be much symp0athy in the community for them in their bereavement.
Francis Cope was a gem of a man, capable in his operations, strong in his religious faith, just in his dealings, broad in his sympathies, gentle in his deportment and strong in his convictions, to which he was unfalteringly true.
The funeral service will be held in the Eighteenth Ward Chapel, at one o'clock on Wednesday, January 1, 1890.
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