Nearly sixty years have come and gone since
George Cople became associated with the frontier state of California. When
he crossed the plains he was a young man, full of ambition, courage, and
perseverance. He has been a dominant factor in the development of eastern
Contra Costa County. Mr. Cople was born in Switzerland in 1837. He came to
America in 1854, landing in New York City. He removed to Ohio, and later
took up residence in Chicago, where he remained until 1857. He had heard
much about California, and it was about this time that he decided to cast
his lot with the Golden West. He came here a young man, poor in pocket, but
rich in ambition. In 1857, he drove teams from Leavenworth, Kansas, in
connection with soldiers going to Utah, and in 1858 he was ordered on to
Benicia. For several years he found work in various parts of the State,
largely following farming, and in 1867 he purchased three hundred and
eighty-five acres near Byron. Mr. Cople was united in marriage to Margaret
Eachus on April 17, 1870, and her death occurred in 1908, in her sixty-ninth
year. To this union there were three children. Charles, the eldest of the
family, was born on February 17, 1871. He was educated in the Excelsior
school, after which he took a course in the San Jose Business College.
Laying aside his books, he returned to the home place, and has always
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and for many years has had the
management of the farm. On December 27, 1899, Charles Cople was married to
Miss Elsie Johnston, daughter of John and Mary Johnston, of San Mateo
County. Mrs. Cople's parents were among the highly respected families and
pioneers of their locality. Her father died in 1893 and her mother passed
away in 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cople have one son, Kenneth D., born
August 2, 1901, who is attending school. Mary Eva, the second child of
George Cople, died at the age of sixteen years. Ralph G., the youngest
child, was born July 15, 1882. He is identified with the stock business and
resides in Livermore, California. He married Miss Georgia Tozer, a native
daughter. Both George and Charles Cople give their political support to the
Republican Party. The latter is a member of the Native Sons and a member of
Byron Parlor. Charles is a valuable assistant and manager of the home ranch.
He is broad-minded and public-spirited, and is one of the foremost in
promoting the welfare of eastern Contra Costa County, and takes an active
part in the prohibition movement.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California,"
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, pp. 572-573.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, October, 2006.
Among the representative men of eastern Contra
Costa County who have been successfully engaged in ranching and horticulture
prominent mention should be made of Percy J. Moody. He is well known and
progressive, and is constantly keeping in touch with the most advanced
methods along his chosen field. He was born in Maine, on December 4, 1859, a
son of Gilman and Ellen Moody's parents' family there were nine children,
eight of whom are still living. One brother, however, of Mr. Moody came to
the Pacific Coast. He makes his home in Fresno County. Percy J. Moody, the
subject of this review, acquired his education in the public schools of his
native State, and in 1879, at the age of nineteen, he came to California and
located in Walnut Creek, where he learned the blacksmith trade with his
uncle, J. S. Huntington, who was among the early pioneers of that locality.
Mr. Moody remained in the employ of his uncle for three years, when he took
over the shop and operated it for one year. He disposed of his interests and
removed to Brentwood, where he engaged in business for nearly two years. He
then engaged again in the blacksmith business at Brentwood, and operated his
shop from 1884 to 1892. While a resident of Brentwood, Mr. Moody was united
in marriage to Mattie E. Pierce on August 6, 1885. Mr. Moody had eighty
acres of choice land and set out twenty acres to orchard. He disposed of
twenty acres to Frank Ayer and ten acres to Alfred Carlson. Mr. Moody has
served as roadmaster for a period of twelve years, and his recent
appointment in the same capacity will extend for another four years. To Mr.
and Mrs. Moody have been born three children. Nellie May, wife of Charles
Elsworth, of Knightsen, was born August 6, 1886. Rollin H. Moody was born in
September, 1888, and married Miss Jean White, a native of California, on
December 1, 1907, and their one daughter, Violet Martha, was born in 1908.
John Moody was born December 16, 1901. At present he is connected with the
Bridgeford Dairy Company. Politically, Mr. Moody is affiliated with the
Republican party, and has attended the county convention for many years. He
has served in the past as trustee on the local school board. Fraternally, he
is a member of the Foresters Lodge of Brentwood and the I. O. O. F. of
Byron. Mrs. Moody's father, John T. Pierce, was a native of Ohio, and her
mother was Sarah (White) Pierce. Her parents were united in marriage in the
East, and they had five children. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce crossed the plains in
the early '50s and settled in Sonoma County. Later they removed to
Sacramento County, and in 1867 they came to eastern Contra Costa County.
Mrs. Moody's father died on January 14, 1898, and her mother passed away on
September 25, 1897.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California,"
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, pp. 573-574.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, October, 2006.