Biography of Charles Pope, 1899, State of Oregon Surnames: Pope, Archer, Abernethy, Lansdale, Laswell, Steel, Meldrum ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives (http://files.usgwarchives.net) to store the file permanently for free access and not to be removed separately without written permission. ************************************************************************ Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: W. David Samuelsen - January 2002 ************************************************************************ Oregon Native Son, Vol. 1, page 113-114 CHARLES POPE. Mr. Pope was born at Plymouth, England, August 23, 1807. In 1818, while still a youth of 12 years, he moved with his parents to New York, where he engaged with his father in the cabinet-makers business. On November 21, 1832, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Archer. Three sons and four daughters were born to them, the youngest of whom is a native daughter, and all of whom lived to maturity. In 1851 he thought that the Oregon country offered inducements which, New York did not afford, and he set sail with his family for this coast. The vessel on which he took passage rounding Cape Horn, consumed 153 days in reaching the Columbia. As they passed up the Willamette, Portland was yet so much in its infancy that little or no notice was taken of it, but the vessel went onward to Oregon City, its cargo being con signed in the main to Abernethy & Clark, who were then running a general merchandise store there. Not being able to reach such place on account of the shallow water, their belongings were transferred by barges, as was the ship's cargo. There the family was made welcome by the Abernethys; Mrs. Abernethy being a sister of Mr. Pope, and who had come to Oregon with her husband in 1840. Mr. Pope soon formed a partnership with a Mr. Ralston, and under the firm name of Pope & Ralston, they carried on a general merchandise business for a number of years. He was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was prominent in Odd Fellowship. After the dissolution of the firm of Pope & Ralston, he formed a partnership with his sons in the hardware business, under the name of Pope & Co. He remained actively engaged in its management until his death. which occurred June 11, 1871. Mr. Pope was also treasurer of Oregon City. His wife survived him until September 11, 1893, when she passed away. They were pioneers who were revered and. loved by all who knew them, keeping open house for their friends, and never turning the deserving from their door. Of their sons, the eldest, Charles W., died. a few years since; William H. is living in Portland, and Thomas A. is a resident of Oregon City. Of the daughters, Mary S. (deceased) became the wife of Dr. R. H. Lansdale; Annie E. (deceased) became the wife of J. W. Laswell; Eva became the wife of George A. Steel, and Georgie the wife of J. W. Meldrum.