Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-08-16
SUMMONED HENCE.
PASSES Away-Sketeh of Well
known and Highly Respected Man.

Inc pt0neef sittIeh fitOh u tfOpptr
PASSES Away-sketeh of a Well
known and Highly Respected Man.
The venerable Elton C. Chopper
breathed his last at his home, 1909 Second
avenue at 4:30 this morning. He had
been for three years sufferer from
trouble incidental to paralysis, and he
had been 80 much an invalid most of that
time that ne was unable to leave the
house. The last time he was out was
when his son, E, B. Chopper, drove him
up to the Old Settlers meeting in the
east part of. town nearly year ago.
This was great treat to Mr.. Chopper,
not only from the fact that it enabled
him to see his old time friends among the
pioneers again-and it transpires now for
the last time-but It afforded a change
from the long monotony of confinement,
such as was hard indeed for one of his
active life to endure. Mr.. Chopper
was stricken down shortly after the expi>
ration of his term of office as police
magistrate three years ago last spring,
when he was attacked with stroke of
paralysis. Since then he has had two
similar attacks. each of which has natur-
ally weakened and deprived him of the
use of his limbs and caused him more
suffering. Death then came to him as a
welcome relief
Mr.. Chopper was born in Worcester
county, Maryland, July "A. 1915. AT an
early age he learned the trade of car
penter and be became II contractor and
builder while yet Young in life. At Bal
timore, Md, Dec. %, 1886 he and Miss
Mary f. Wells were united in marriage.
The young couple came west the follows
ING year visiting Missouri, bat returned
again to the east, and in July, 1912, they
landed IN Rock Island They came
around by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
and Mr.. Cropp er used to boast of his be
ing a passenger on the first side-wheel
steamer that came up the Mississippi this
far. Here Mr.. Chopper engaged at once,
and actively in his vocation and he built
during the course of his career in that
line, the old high school building. Judge
Lynde's residence aud number Of other
structures which were IN their time, and
are vet. prominent buildings.
Mr.. Chopper was one of the first chief
engineers of the Rock Island fire depart
ment, and was one of the most efficient
the city ever knew. 10 1863 he was
elected city marshal and served, with one |
years intermission, until 1868. He was
then elected police magistrate and ius-
tice of the peace, and served continuous
" in that capacity until the spring of |
IS, when he retired from office. As a |
police magistrate he proved himself one
Of the most Just and best. and his ad- |
of the office aided the police |
greatly in promoting the moral welfare
OF the city. He was an honored member |
Of the Rock Island County Old Settlers
society, and was one of Its earliest PRESS
dents. He was member Of the Order of |
Odd Fellows, and of Trinity Episcopal |
church. He WAS up to the war a whig,
but afterward an unwavering democrat. |
Mrs. Chopper is left with the follows
ing children: Mrs Katharine A. Smith,
residing in Virginia. DR. Charles W.
Chopper of Jersey City, n j., Edmund
B. Chopper, engineer on the c., r. |. Il
7. road with residence in this city, and |
Mrs. c. 5. Van Duyn, of Milwaukee.
Mr. Chopper was a man of noble
heart and generous impulse, whose best
friends loved him most and whose deeds |
Of Kindness will live in the memories of
hose who realize in a keen sense that a
good man has gone
The time of the funeral has not vet
been fully decided upon, but it will prob
ably be held Sunday afternoon.