Hugh Pope 1831 - 1918

POPE

Posted By: Linda H Meyers (email)
Date: 1/27/2012 at 17:20:39

From a local newpaper published in Nov. 1915:

"IS HE OUR OLDEST PIONEER?

Hugh Pope Probably Last of 1845 Settlers of Marion County

Hugh Pope, of Madrid,Ia.,was here last week on one of his regular periodical visits with relatives and old time friends. That item alone is of little moment. However, Mr. Pope is a very interesting character in local history. He came to Marion County from Macoupin County, Illinois and landed on the claim which his father John Pope had taken (4 miles south of Knoxville) not in the early 60's or 50's as we usually say of old settlers, but on August 1, 1845 more than 70 years ago! At that time Mr. Pope was 14 years of age having been born in Illinois August 1, 1831.

When the Popes drove their ox team through Knoxville on that August day in 1845, our town was composed of only 3 log cabins, not one of which contained more than one room. The spot now occupied by the splendid $100,000 court house was a hazel and wild plum thicket, and wolves howled nightly within three blocks of what is now the public square.

Mr. Pope is of the opinion that there is not a man or woman living in Marion county today that was here when he drove the cattle through town 70 years and 3 months ago.

Marion County was the home of Mr. Pope from 1845 till 1884 when he removed to Madrid. During the Civil War he served as a private in Co. G 40th Iowa infantry for the full term of three years. Today at the age of 84, he has the appearance of a man of 65 and has never yet found it necessary to walk with the assistance of a cane."