- BOOK - HISTORY OF RICE & STEELE COUNTIES VOL I & II 1910. John C. Couper is one of the county's venerable and distinguished citizens, one of those who may well be described as ripe in years and wisdom. He still retains the vigor of a much younger man, and still exerts, as he always has, an important influence for good in the community. He was born Jan. 24, 1830, at Morristown, N. Y., and was educated in the common schools and in Ogdensburg Academy. He taught school several terms, and in 1852 went to Albion, Michigan. In 1852, he crossed the western plains, with a wagon train to California. In September, 1854, he returned home via Lake Nicaragua and New York City. He was married Jan. 1, 1855, to Harriet Johnson, and together they came to Minnesota, locating in Sciota, Dakota county. In 1862 he was sent to the state legislature. During the Civil War he enlisted in Company F, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving as sergeant and orderly three years until the close of the war, two years in the Indian campaign in Minnesota and the Dakotas, and one year in the South in Tennessee and North Carolina. In 1866 he came to Northfield, where he has since made his home. March 1, 1886, he engaged in the mercantile business in the firm of J. C. and F. J. Couper and continued in business until Nov. 5, 1908. He has now retired from active business and is enjoying the crowning fruits of a well spent life. He has been a justice of the peace many years, has been town supervisor, and for eleven years served with justice and distinction as judge of the municipal court of Northfield. He is a charter member, past commander and the present chaplain of the J. L. Heywood Post, G. A. R., and past junior commander of the Department of Minnesota. He was for several years a trustee of the Congregational society at Northfield. He has also served as president of the Northfield Fair Association. In the family were six children: Dr. Joseph E. Couper, of Blue Earth, Minn., died in 1906; Charles S. lives in Rochester. Fen nimore J. lives in Alberta, Canada. Mrs. Evaline C. Miller lives in Northfield; Prof. George B. Couper lives in Cherryville, Oregon. Miss Hattie lives at home. Judge Couper's parents came from South Shields, England, in 1817, and settled in the wilds of northern New York. The father was a prominent man, and held many positions of public trust and honor.
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1830 - 1922 (92 years)
