Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm THOMAS COPLEY, capitalist, 22 North Hope street, Los Angeles, is a native of England, and was born March 31, 1831. He was reared and learned the trade of cloth‑finishing in his native country. After reaching manhood he emigrated to America in 1855, and worked at his trade in Canada for two years. In the spring of 1857 he started overland to California, and drove an ox team from Fort Leavenworth to Salt Lake. There were forty‑five wagons in the train, with six yoke of oxen to each wagon, transporting supplies for the troops at Camp Floyd. The stock was stampeded by Indians, but the wagon-master being a model scout of long experience, they secured possession of their stock. After reaching Salt Lake; Mr. Copley, with seven others, packed four ponies and came on foot all the way, a distance of 800 miles, to San Bernardino. He came to Los Angeles and obtained work in a restaurant in a little adobe hut on Main street, where the First National Bank now stands. After a short time he was taken ill and went to the Sisters' Hospital. After his recovery he was employed for two years at the hospital. He next bought some land and engaged in gardening for some time on Alameda street, where the Lankersheim now stands. Mr. Copley afterward engaged in contracting, excavating, and hauling building material, and making streets, gardens, etc., and for over a quarter of a century successfully carried on the business. He owns valuable property on Fort street, and also on Hope street. Mr. Copley had no capital when he began life, and his success is due to his industry and good management. He married Miss Margaret Grinsell, a native of New York State. Their home on Hope street is one of the most eligible locations in the city. An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California � Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 726 Transcribed by Kathy Sedler