James A. Bope

As printed in 1886

JAMES A. BOPE, lawyer, Findlay, was born in Winchester, Adams Co., Ohio, November 30, 1833. His ancestors on the paternal side, were Moravians. At the age of sixteen his grandfather did duty as a soldier at the battle of Yorktown, and emigrated from Rockingham County, Va., about the year 1804. The family name was originally Pope, but has been altered in some of the branches into Bope. Our subject's father, Philip Bope, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a merchant. Our subject, on his mother's side (whose maiden name was Eliza Weaver) is of Scotch and German stock. James A. Bope lived in Adams County, Ohio, until he was six years of age, when the family moved to Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, where his father continued in mercantile business. Our subject then attended the jDublic schools until he was ten years of age, when he went into his father's store, where he remained until he was seventeen. He then attended Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, and remained at that institution five years, graduating in 1855, when he commenced the study of law with Hunter & Daugherty, at Lancaster, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1857, commenced to practice at Lancaster in 1858, and removed to Findlay in 1859. In July, 1862, he was elected captain of Company D, Ninetyninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and while storming earthworks at Atlanta was wounded and sent home. Subsequently recovering from his wounds be returned to his regiment, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenantcolonel, in command of the Fiftieth and Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This occurred in North Carolina, iri the spring of 1865. Altogether he was wounded four times. He continued in the sei'vice until he was mustered out, in July, 1865, when he returned to Findlay, Ohio, and resumed the practice of law. Mr. Bope has the reputation of Ix'ing an exceedingly careful and conscientious lawyer. He has been thoroughly and classically educated, and has carried into the profession the scholarly habits acquired in a collegiate course. His papers are industriously and accurately prepared, and have often received the encomiums of the coiu't. He has a high regard for the honor and dignity of the profession, and discredits everything that would degrade it. He enjoys a large and growing practice, and is frequently called to do business in the United States Courts. He prefers civil ti criminal practice, but practices with success in all branches of the profession. May 7, 1861, Mr. Bope married Miss Martha, daughter of Rev. -John S. Meeks, formerly pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Findlay, but now preaching near that town. They have had four children, two of whom are living. In politics Mr. Bope is a Republican.

As printed in History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns ... portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history o (1886). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.