My Genealogy Hound

P. N. POPE, President of the First National Bank of Du Quoin, is a native of Franklin County, Ill. He was born on a farm near Benton September 26, 1838, and is a son of Dr. Benjamin Ward Pope, a prominent physician, who also followed farming. He was born in North Carolina in 1806, and was a son of Hardy Pope, who was of Scotch and English descent and was at one time an extensive land and slave owner. He died in Tennessee.

Dr. Pope came to Illinois in 1828, settling near Benton, where he practiced medicine, operated a farm and built the first gristmill in southern Illinois. He served in the Black Hawk War and was a man of far more than average intelligence and ability. He came to the state in limited circumstances, but by well directed efforts and upright dealings he accumulated a handsome property. He was a most ardent Democrat, and long served as Justice of the Peace. He died in 1873. He had been twice married. He first wedded Sarah Read, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of wealthy slaveholder. She was a lady of much culture, having been reared in ease and luxury. They became the parents of two children: P. N. and Benjamin F., who is engaged in merchandising in Du Quoin. Another brother, William J., was a prominent and wealthy farmer of Williamson County, and there died after the death of the father. By his second marriage Dr. Pope had two daughters and one son, the latter being Dr. Taylor S. Pope, who was a prominent physician, but is now engaged in merchandising in Benton, Ill. One of the sisters is the wife of Dr. Benjamin F. Pope, of Du Quoin.

Our subject was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, and was educated in the public schools of Benton. Before he had attained the age of twenty-one he engaged in the milling business with his father and brothers, and also engaged in merchandising. In 1859, in company with his brother, Benjamin F., he came to Du Quoin, where he engaged in grain dealing and in merchandising. In 1877, in company with Henry Horn, he established the Du Quoin Bank, with which he was connected until 1887, when he sold his interest in the same. During all this time he continued to deal in grain, and to that business devoted his energies until 1892, when he sold out, and, in company with other capitalists, established the First National Bank, of which he was elected President. This is one of the strongest financial institutions in the state, and was one of the very few that continued to loan money during the financial depression of 1893. The success of this bank is undoubtedly due in a large measure to Mr. Pope.

In 1866 Mr. Pope was united in marriage with Eliza C. Pierce, who was born in southern Illinois and was a daughter of Capt. James Pierce, a Mexican soldier, who lost his life in that war. Mrs. Pope was a college graduate and a lady of superior qualities. She died in 1880, leaving four children: E. H., a railroad engineer on the St. Louis, Atchison & Terre Haute Railroad, living in Pinckneyville, Ill.; W. E., at home; C. E., a law student in the State University; and Kate, who graduated from Forest Park University and is now her father’s confidential clerk in the bank. In 1881 Mr. Pope wedded Ellen J. McClure, daughter of George Y. McClure, who was a Lieutenant in the late Civil War, and lost his life in the service. Mrs. Pope is a highly educated lady, and for eight years before her marriage successfully engaged in teaching. By this union have been born three children, Lillian, Edith and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Pope are connected with the Christian Church, to the support of which they contribute liberally.

In connection with his other business interests Mr. Pope is half owner in the St. Nicholas Hotel, the largest and finest hotel in the city, and has much other valuable property, being numbered among the wealthiest men of the county. His residence property, which includes twenty acres of land, is one of the finest in Du Quoin. Mr. Pope is a man of most excellent business and executive ability, and the success which has come to him is the result of his enterprise, industry and well directed efforts. He is a Royal Arch Mason and has served as Treasurer of the blue lodge and chapter for many years. He has never aspired to political honors, but, like all of his family, is a Democrat.