San Diego County
Biographies
GEORGE COPE,
a rancher near Perris, was born in Jerseyville, Illinois,
June 12, 1861. His father, Walter Cope, was born in Charleston, South
Carolina, in 1825, and his father, John Cope, was a native of Germany, who
settled in South Carolina. Mr. Cope's father married Miss Elinda Day in 1852.
She was a native of Buffalo, New York, born in 1831, and was a daughter of Mr.
Ira Day, who was an Illinois land-owner and farmer. They had eight children,
three boys and five girls.
The subject of this sketch was the
youngest but one of this family. He was sent to the country schools of Jersey
County, Illinois, and remained at home with his father until twenty‑two years of
age. He was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Sanderhouse, who was born in
Jersey County, Illinois, in 1865. They have one interesting little daughter,
Laura, born in Jerseyville, Illinois, June 9, 1885. Their ranch consists of 160
acres, situated four miles north of Perris. Ten acres of the ranch is devoted to
the house and ranch building, and shrubbery and fruit. The house and barns have
the stamp of affluence and comfort second to none in the valley. Mr. Cope is a
good farmer. He is sowing this year 100 acres to White Russia wheat and 200
acres to barley. Mr. Cope and wife stand high in their community as enterprising
citizens.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 331
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
J. H. McCANNA,
of Perris, is one of the solid, active business men and ranchmen of Perris. He was born in Clinton County, New York, July 16, 1833. His father, John McCanna, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when quite young, and married Ann Young. They had a family of nine children, but two of whom are now living. Mr. McCanna, the subject of this sketch, went to the then new State of Iowa in 1843, when but eleven years of age. His educational advantages were limited.
He began his business career as a peddler, which he followed for two years. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army and served three years. While in the service he was two years forage master, and was engaged in the hazardous business of making raids into the enemy's country for supplies. While on one of these expeditions he was made prisoner by the enemy, who took from him his arms and valuables, and threatened to shoot him for being a spy. He saw three mules near him and sprang upon one of them and made his escape amid a shower of bullets. He reached the Union forces about midnight with the three mules. He was in the battle of White river, at the siege of Vicksburg, at Cherokee Station and at the battle of Suffield Station. At this latter battle he received a slight wound in the head from a ball; another ball went through his coat, and a third one killed his horse and wounded him slightly in the leg. He did efficient duty in gathering supplies for the army while with Sherman on his march from Atlanta to the sea. When the war was over he engaged with his brother in the business of buying bankrupt stocks of goods and selling them again at auction and at private sale. He continued in this business eight years, when he came to California and traveled all over the country for four years. He went to Los Angeles in 1883 and opened a grocery store, but, after a year, sold out and came to Perris, where he took a Government claim of 160 acres of land, a short distance east of the town, on which he built a good brick house and made other improvements. He built the first store in Perris, and now owns four store buildings. He is engaged in several kinds of business in addition to carrying on his ranch; he has a brick and lumber yard, a livery and feed stable, buys and sells stock, and rents his buildings. He was married to Miss Almira Carpenter, and by her had one son, James Harrison, born September 20, 1864, who is now married, owns property and resides in Perris. This wife and mother died in 1872. Mr. McCanna was again married in 1882 to Mrs. Bennett.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 331-332
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
P. M. THOMASON,
whose well appointed establishment for all sheet-iron roofing and cornice work, is located at 1331 C street, San Diego, was born at Sheridan, Lucas County, Iowa, in August, 1855, his father being a native of North Carolina and his mother, of Indiana. There were six children, five of whom are still living, his father was a farmer, and owned a highly improved farm of 320 acres, near Sheridan, where the subject of this sketch received his early education, residing at home and attending the common schools. He came to California in 1883, spending one year in and near San Francisco, then in 1884 he entered the employ of P. S. Lawson, who had a well established tinning and roofing business in Sacramento, remaining with him until 1887, when he came to San Diego and worked with Edward Harris until March, 1889, when Thomason bought out the business, and is meeting with very flattering success. He does a general business in roofing, cornice and jobbing work, preferring the wielding of heavy sheet-iron, as his establishment is fitted with such machinery as is particularly adapted to that line of business, If honest thought and straightforward actions win success, Mr. Thomason is sure to "get there."
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 332
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler