CHARLES H. COPP

       Charles H. COPP, is a member of the firm of Copp & Devore, 
prominent merchandise brokers of Wheeling, West Virginia.  Mr. Copp 
has been a resident of Wheeling since about 1868, and was quite a 
small boy when his parents moved to this city.
	His father, George H. Copp, was a native of Virginia, and was 
for a number of years a member of the firm of Oglebay, Son & Company, 
wholesale grocers.  This business was first conducted under the firm 
name of Paxton, Donald & Oglebay.  Later Mr. Donald withdrew and the 
firm became Paxton & Oglebay, and subsequently Oglebay, Son & 
Company, which conducted a large business on Main street, opposite 
the store of Joseph Speidel.  This business was closed out or the 
firm was dissolved about 1888.  George H. Copp died in 1875, at the 
early age of forty-four years.  His union with Virginia C. Bare was 
blessed with two children, --Charles H. and Carrie V., both of whom 
are still unmarried and reside at home with their mother.  The family 
residence is a handsome residence built by George H. Copp on the 
Island, and its members are regular attendants of St. Luke's 
Protestant Episcopal church.
	Charles H. Copp was reared and schooled in the city of 
Wheeling.  His first work was as clerk and office boy with Bown & 
Good, merchandise brokers, of Wheeling.  In 1880 he was admitted into 
the firm as a partner, and the firm became Bown, Good & Copp, with 
office on the corner of Fourteenth and Main streets.  This firm did a 
prosperous business for some time, and subsequently established a 
branch house at St. Louis, Missouri, under the same name and 
management, Messrs. Bown and Good removing to that city, while the 
Eastern trade was conducted solely by Mr. Copp.  In 1889 this company 
was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Copp conducted the business 
alone for two years following.  He then entered into partnership with 
J. H. Devore, the firm became Copp & Devore, and as such has 
continued to do business up to the present day.  The office remained 
at the corner of Fourteenth and Main streets until 1898, and was then 
removed to its present location in the Reilly Building.  The firm is 
a progressive one, and conducts a successful merchandise brokerage 
business throughout West Virginia and as far as Steubenville, Ohio.
	Mr. Copp is a Mason, affiliating with Ohio Lodge, No. 1, A. F. 
& A. M., and Wheeling Commandery, No. 1, K. T.  He is also a member 
of Wheeling Lodge, No. 9, Wheeling Encampment, No. 11, I. O. O. F.  
He ranks high among the successful young business men of Ohio county, 
and his success is well deserved.

From "HISTORY OF WHEELING and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens."  Edited & Compiled by Hon. Gibson Lamb 
Cranmer.  Biographical Publishing, 1902; p. 364-365. 

(Laurie Birks Dean)