This is a collection of short biographical sketches submitted by individuals with a link to the Researcher. You are invited to send appropriate sketches of early Atchison County residents for inclusion on this page

 JOSEPH COUPE

Joseph COUPE, late of Benton township, was born December 6, 1852 in Utica, NY and was a son of James and Jane (LATUS) Coupe, both of whom were born in England. James emigrated from his native land when a young man and located in New York, where he married and reared a family, cultivating a farm located one mile from the limits of Utica. He died on his farm. Joseph was reared on the family farm and attended the Utica public schools, receiving an excellent education, after which he took up the study of law and was admitted to practice in his home city. He practiced his profession in Utica until 1881 and then came west and located at Falls City, Neb., where he continued his practice with considerable success until 1906, when he removed with his family to his farm west of Effingham. Failing health induced him to make the change and it was thought by his physicians that the open air life would be beneficial to him. He died February 10, 1908.

Judge Coupe was married in 1890 to Miss Anna MOONEY and to this union were born six children: Margaret, a graduate of the county high school, and a teacher in the Effingham public schools; James, who is managing the home farm with his mother; Richard, a graduate of the county high school; Anna, likewise a high school graduate; Mary, a junior in the high school; and Joseph, a pupil in the Sister's school at Effingham. The mother of these children was born in Atchison, Kan., confirmed and baptized in St. Benedict's church and was a daughter of James, born in 1833, and Julia (RYAN) Mooney, born in 1837, both of whom were natives of Ireland. James Mooney emigrated from Ireland when a youth was first a resident of Buffalo, NY, and in 1857 moved to Nebraska and was later employed at the nursery in Atchison, Kan. From Atchison he removed to Rulo, Neb., where he still lives. He was married in 1860 and the family lived in Atchison during the Civil War. James and Julia Mooney were the parents of five children, namely: Thomas, deceased in March 1908; John and James, farmers; Margaret, at home in Rulo with her parents; Mrs. Joseph Coupe.

Previous to locating in Kansas, Mr. Coupe had resided on a farm near Falls City, but was induced to remove to Effingham and here purchased a farm of 194 acres west of the city in Benton township, this farm consisting of 160 acres of excellent tillable land and thirty-four acres of pasture. He was prominently identified with civic and political affairs in Falls City and Richardson County, Nebraska and had built up a large and lucrative law practice. He was a Democrat in politics and was one of the leaders of his party in Nebraska, serving four years as county judge and was successful in reelection to a third term, but resigned on account of poor health. He was popular with the masses of the people and well liked by all who knew him, being universally admired for his many excellent qualities of land and heart.

Taken from:

History of Atchison County, Kansas

by Sheffield Ingalls - 1916

Submitted by:

Clemi Higley Blackburn, July 2001

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