Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 241

 WARNER F. COPNER, a native of the Buckeye State, is one of the most worthy and prosperous men of the farming community of Salem Township, having built up a good home on section 19, where he has surrounded himself and his family with all the comforts of life.  He first opened his eyes to the light in Warren County, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1850, and is the son of John and Nancy J. (Newland) Copner, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this ALBUM.

      The parents of our subject removed from Ohio to Illinois in 1858, when Warner F. was a lad eight years of age.  They located in Menard County, and one year later removed to Sangamon County, where our subject continued until reaching his majority, receiving a fair education in the common schools.  When twenty-one years of age he crossed the Father of Waters and entered a quarter-section of land in Salem Township, this county, where he made some improvements, and which property he sold in 1874.  Soon afterward he removed to Derby, where he remained until 1880, and in the spring of that year secured possession of his present property.  Considering the fact that he was thrown upon his own resources early in life, and has received no financial assistance, he certainly deserves the plaudit of "well done."  Upon leaving Illinois he had but $24.70 in money, with a horse, saddle and bridle.  The first three years after coming to this State he operated as a clerk in a general store in Derby, and after four years thus employed he took up farming, which he has since followed.  It is hardly necessary to say that he prefers the free and independent life of the country, and he has been amply rewarded for his industry and perseverance in his struggle with the soil of Southern Kansas. He may be properly ranked among the self-made men, who in the school of experience have made the most of their opportunities and comprise the solid and substantial element of this community, and upon which its standing and reputation depend.

      Mr. Copner came to this State a single man, but his affections in due time were captured by a most excellent young lady, Miss Huldah Parker, a native of Butler County, Ohio, and they were united in marriage Feb. 18, 1880.  Mrs. Copner was born March 26, 1858, and is the daughter of William and Eliza (Myers) Parker, natives respectively of New York State and Ohio, and the parents of a large family of children, of whom the following survive, namely:  Huldah, Mrs. Copner; Stephen; Emma, the wife of Samuel Butts, of Sumner County; Laura, Mrs. Winfield Booth, of this county; Stephen, Henry, William, Annie and Louis. Stephen married Miss Alice Watson, and Henry married Miss Blanche Shade.

      Mr. Copner has little to do with politics, and is mainly an independent voter, aiming to support the man whom he considers best qualified for office.  He has served as Constable in his township, and given a cordial and generous support to the various measures inaugurated for the good of his community.

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