John Copen was a farmer all his life, the greater part of which was spent in Elk District, where he died in 1877, at the age of eighty- five years. He married Rebecca Cobb, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of Big Sandy District. Of their large family there are two survivors: Vinton Z. and Nancy, who is the wife of William Moles, a resident also of Elk District.

Vincent Z. Copen had but meager educational opportunities in his youth, the country being comparatively unsettled near his father's home and school-houses far apart. When eleven years old he became useful as a helper in clearing up the place and in farming and subsequently worked at lumbering. When he reached manhood he purchased his present farm. It was known as the "old King homestead," its original owner having been the first settler in Elk District, and the log cabin remained for many years the oldest landmark of civilization in this region. Mr. Copen occupied it for many years and finally assisted in tearing it down and on the site erected his comfortable modern residence. During his active years he carried on farming and stock raising. There was a period of many years during which Mr. Copen was one of the prominent politicians of the county, an active Republican, and holding many offices of responsibility. He was one of the early sheriffs and performed his public duties in that position when only a brave and unusually resourceful man could have successfully coped with conditions then existing.

Mr. Copen married Miss Sarah Ann Sands, and the following children were born to them: Perry, who is a farmer on the home land, married Mary Tully, and they have four children and one grandchild; Henry, who is a farmer in Elk District, married Agnes Miller and they have eight children and three grandchildren; Nancy, who is deceased, was the wife of C. King, and they had eight children; Martha, who married E.O'Daniell, a farmer on 2-Mile Creek, and they have five children; Alice, who is the wife of M. Haines, a farmer on 2-Mile Creek; Ida May, who is the wife of B. Edens, a farmer on Elk River; Frances, who lives at home; Rachel, who is the wife of L. Edens, a farmer on Cooper's Creek; and Camos, who resides on the home farm, and married Lula Marion. Mr. Copen has never identified himself with any fraternal organization.