The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-11
COL. GEORGE L. COPE DEAD.
He Passed Away Quietly Unconsciou
Of Deaths Approach.

He Passed Away Quietly Unconscious
of Deaths Approach.
Col. George L. Cope died few minutes
after o'clock yesterday morning. The
announcement of his death, although it
was momentarily expected from the time
he was stricken with paralysis Wednesday
night, caused a shock in business circles
Col. Cope was one Of Savannah's best
known business men. The announcement
| in yesterdays MORNING NEWS of his illness,
and that his death was near, was followed in a
few hours with the announcement on the
street that he was dead The flag on the
cotton exchange and that on tho Chatham
Artillery armory were lowered to half mast.
Col. Cope did not rally from the first shock
OF the. disease. He died without regaining
consciousness. His funeral will take place
from the family residence, No. 176 Hull
street, at 3 o'clock this afternoon, and will
be attended by the Chatham Artillery of
which he was an honorary member, and by
the members of the Savannah Benevolent
Association.
Col Cope was born in Savannah Feb.
&c, 1877. In early life he entered a mer-
camille house on Bay street, and eventually
became a clerk in the house of Padelford 81
Fay, cotton commission merchants and
agents for the old New York steamship line.
From this house many young men gradu-
ated who after ward became prominent in
mercantile circles in Savannah and other
cities in the south. From the day that he
entered the counting room of this old firm
until he left it for the last time Col Cope
knew no other. In the latter part of
the sos he became a partner in the firm.
On the removal of MIR. Joseph s. Fay to
Boston, the firm became Padelford q Cope,
and on the death of Mr.. Edward Padelford,
in 1870, the business was continued under
the firm name of Cope & Ripley
Finally that firm was dissolved, and Col.
Cope virtually retired from business, al
though he was regularly at his desk during
business hours up to the night of his illness.
He held many Offices of honor and trust
during his long life. He succeeded the
late Henry Brigham as presi-
dent of the Merchants National Bank,
but resigned the Office after holding it a
year or so. He was a regular attendant,
however, at the banks meetings, and con-
tiuued to take an active interest in its al
fairs to the end. He was director of the
Bonaventure Cemetery Company, and tc
hin is due a great deal of the i'm
provements that have added &c
that beautiful resting place of the dead
He was one of the pilot commissioners OF
| the port, and was chairman of the board
He was identified with nearly every public
| enterprise in the city, and was a man whose
| opinions and sound Judgment were re-
| spected.
Col Cope was appointed by Gov. Howell
! Cobb on his personal staff, with the rank o.
lieutenant colonel During the confederate
war he was captain Of artillery
He was an upright and conscientious man
and stood at the head of the long list o
| Savannah's able business men. His success
| full business operations and well jud ged in
vestments accumulated for him a larg
! fortune. He was liberal givsr to- thos
who had claims upon him. he took deel
interest in the Savannah Benevolent Asso
citation. He was one of its founders il
1854, and passed through three epidemics a
its treasurer. When he resigned in 1877 h
was presented silver pitcher and goldets
| with the following Inscription:
From the Savannah Benevolent Associa
ton to its founder, and the first and onl,
treasurer during twenty three years; hi
faithful and unremitting services hav
illustrated his constancy, courage, and IN
tegrity, which can only be wledgedsby
gratitude and praise. 1S54-IST."
Col. Cope leaves widow and four chill
dren. He and his estima bic wife celebrated
their golden wedding Nov. IL last Thei
eldest daughter, Mrs. Thomas K. Mills
resides in Griffin. Tho others of his family
Mr.. George L. Cope, Jr., Mr.. Harris Cope
and Mrs. James Ii. Hunter, reside in Sa.
vannah.