The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-01-28
JUDGE R. L. COPIES

Esg. eva N4S e 3Ae A'os \ - " % =
SHORT SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
FROM EARLY; BoYHooD.
Grandson of Henry Ellis, Esq, q
Prominent Lawyer and Son Of the
Late Robert Copes.
Robert Ellis Copes, who has just
been elected Judge of the First Ju-
:dicial Circuit to succeed the late la
mented Judge Charles Glover Dantz-
ler,a is thirty-eight years Of age, ana
a native of this, city. He is. the old
est son OF the late Robert Copes, who
was for many years treasurer OF Or
angeburg county Judge Copes'
mother was the daughter Of Henry
Ellis, Esq, lawyer Of prominence
in Orangeburg before the war.
The tragic death of his father is
well remembered by the older cit
liens, and forms sad page in the
history of Orangeburg county. It
was the custom in those days for
the. county treasurer to go to the
several townships to collect taxes.
On one Of these trips Treasurer
;Copes was waylaid, murdered and
robbed. For the crime Dan Murphy
was convicted and is now serving d
life sentence in the penitentiary.
Murphy once escaped and after being
at large for months was recaptured.
Robert e. Copes was student Of
Wofford College when his father was
murdered. The burden of the fam
lily then rested upon his shoulders
and he gave up his prospects of "a col
legiate education. When he returned
to Orangeburg, Robert e. Ccpes was
appointed To-, fill out the unexpired
term OF his father.
His administration of the treasur-
er's Office was entirely satisfactory,
and he could have been reelected,
but wishing 10 devote himself to the
law, he declined to offer for re-elec-
ton, and entered the service of the
Edisto Savings Bank as bookkeeper,
at the same time studying law with
Raysor & Summers He also studied
for a while at the South Carolina
College law school. Soon after be-
ing admitted to the bar, Mr.. Copes
was elected judge Of probate, a po-
sition which he has filed acceptably
for eight years. He has also dis
charged, ex officio, the duties of mas
ter in equity.
A prominent, Orangeburg lawyer
is reported by The State to have said
on "Wednesday that Judge Copes al
ways writes to the point and wastes
few words. He is man Of much
modesty and of very retiring dispo-
sition and has never: been an advo-
cate, but a student, His tempe1a-
ment is said to be judicial and his
nature sympathetic though unfinch-
ing in. the face Of duty.
He married Miss, Black of North
Carolina and they have four chill
dren. Judge Copes was in Columbi bia
when elected and was showered with
congratulations. He will not as
sumo the ernine of his high Office
for some days as he has affairs in
his present Office to be disposed Of.
He was elected probate judge last
summer for a four-year term and
there must be an election to fill the
vacancy as The governor can not ap-
point.
The Endorsement given Judge
Copes by orangeburg bar was very
fattering::
"VTe, the undersigned members OIL
the yOrangeburg bar, hereby recon-
mend and indorse Robert e. Copes,
Esq, of this bar for judge Of the
First circuit to succeed the Hon.
Charles G. Dantzler, whose death we
SO deeply deplore.
:'We realize that this exalted pc
sition should be filled by a gentle
man of the highest character, as well
as one learned in the law. Mr..
Copes possesses the judicial tenn
permanent and is, in every way, fitted
to adorn that position.
"He has foy the past eight years
been judge Of probate and master of
this county and has filed that Office
to the entire satisfaction of the bar
and the people.
"He is an able lawyer, just, fear
less and conscientious. He is close
student, with firm convictions of
right, and is always courageous in
his demeanor.
eve take pleasure in recommend
ing Mr.. Copes to the general assem-
bly, for judge of the First circuit,
with the confident assurance that, if
elected, he will grace the position.
"Jas. F. Izlar, Thomas NJ. Raysor,
Adam II. Moss, A. W. Summers,
Simon B. Rich, Abial Lathrop. j..
s.. Salley, j. A. Berry, c. P. Brun-
son, D. D. Herbert, John ]. Jones,
Wm. C. Wolfe, Samuel Dibble, B.
III. Moss, Robert Lide, J. P. Ma
theny, ,Tno. S. Bowman, Jas. NJ.
l3railsford, W. B. Martin, VIM. l..
Glazn l. L Stnrl,ie w I. Izlnr