ALBERT SOPER
Albert Soper was the eldest son of Philander and Jerusha Martin Soper, and was born in Rome, in February, 1812. His father had settled in Rome about 1809, having emigrated from Long Island. His mother had emigrated from Rhode Island about the same year.
Albert grew to manhood on the farm of his father, attending the common school winters, and finishing his education at Mr. Grosvenor’s Academy. At the age of eighteen he learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for several years. A little later he began contracting, and while thus employed built the first planning mill erected in Rome. His earliest partner was Adam Van Patten, who was succeeded by William Simmons, an extensive lumber yard having been added to the business.
The financial storm of 1857 forced the firm to assign, and Mr. Soper continued as manager of the business for the assignee till 1865, when he removed to Chicago when with characteristic energy he threw himself into the flood of lumber development and was soon on top. The firm name was Park & Soper until 1878, when Mr. Park sold his interest to James Soper, the younger brother of Albert, and the business was continued with the title of Soper Bros. & Co. until 1884., when it was consolidated with the Soper & Pond Co., and incorporated as the Soper Lumber Co., with Albert Soper as president, with mills in Michigan and extensive yards in Chicago. The business grew to large proportions, their trade reaching from Massachusetts to Colorado.
Mr. Soper died in May, 1890. He was pre-eminently a business man, devoting his entire attention to development of his interests, with an energy that was tireless.
He was an excellent citizen, with correct and comprehensive views on law and life, and established a most honorable name in the business world. He took an ardent interest in politics, and was a staunch Whig in his earlier years, and a Republican when the latter party was organized. He never sought nor held a political office.
Mr. Soper was for many years a director of the Hide and Leather National Bank of Chicago.
In 1836 he was married to Esther Farquharson, who was a native of Cherry Valley in New York State. Mrs. Soper survived her husband for nearly four years. Seven children were born to them, of whom two died in early youth. Of the remainder Arthur W., the eldest now resides in New York City; Mary Adelaide, wife of George Merrill died in Chicago in 1890; Alexander C., James P., and Etta A. (wife of William Penn Smith) now reside in Chicago.
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