Oh, the amount of times I feel like I sound like a broken record. We made it through another week and yes, that means it's time for another Friday Find from Stockmen's Memorial Foundation ready to make those eyes work.
This week, I bring you the story of Mr. Clarence Copithorne, a staple in Cochrane's community.
Clarence was born on November 12, 1920 to Sophia and Richard Copithorne right here in Cochrane. When Copithorne was just three years old his mother Sophia passed away leaving his sisters' Margy and Annie to wear the shoes of mom. Unfortunately, Copithorne didn't get the chance to really know his mother but grew to form a strong bond with his father. His second parent would be taken from him at the age of 16-years-old. Being the youngest sibling of six, the loss of his father was a rather hard one for him to accept.
One story Copithorne remembered from being a young boy was a time when he milked 15 to 20 cows. After he was finished milking he decided to tie the cow's tail to a washtub. He then hopped in the washtub and held on for the fun. The ride was short lived and his "management" better known as his parents didn't find it the slightest bit funny as he would end up in the doghouse for some time.
At 17 years young Copithorne would enrol into Olds Agriculture school and walk away a couple years later with a diploma in agriculture. One of his first jobs was in 1945 as a Secretary-Treasure of the Jumping Pound Forestry Grazing Association.
When Copithorne was 26, he married Irene Robertson. She was the oldest daughter of Don and Yvonne Robertson who owned the English Shop in Calgary. They went on to homestead on the Jumping Pound Creek and it didn't take long before they began to have children. The first three that came along were Don, Roy and Margery. Followed by a two year gap came the other three Wendy, Jo-Anne and Sue. The children were healthy and busy, helping out on the farm. Because they all showed an interest in horses, Copithorne purchased a reliable horse from the Stoney Indians by the name of Chubby. The six young hooligans grew up learning to ride Chubby and would eventually go on to enter themselves in several competitions in the proceeding years.
In 1946 Copithorne sparked a fond interest in rural electrification. He had a makeshift monstrosity of electricity in his garage that he named "Delco." It was a 32 volt system that consisted of 16 glass batteries and an engine that had a mind of its own. The need for electricity near his farm resulted in him becoming a founding member of the Springbank Rural Electrification Association were he would lead as president for 25 years.
1967 proved to be a pressing year for Copithorne as countless friends and neighbours would insist he run in the upcoming provincial election. After twisting his rubber arm Copithorne agreed to run and in 19 whirlwind days without saying a single speech or holding a public meeting he was elected with a small majority to represent the Banff-Cochrane constituency as an independent. Copithorne went on to join the Conservatives in 1970 and ran for his second election under Peter Lougheed. He was elected and then appointed Minister of Highways and Transportation.
One of his most exciting and memorable projects as Minister was building the Fort Vermillion Bridge and building the David Thompson Highway. He would reminisce of a time where he was 13 sitting with his neighbour Tom Bateman Sr in his Model A Ford driving in the field. Little did he know that one day that little boy would grow up to be the Minster of Highways.
After retiring from politics Copithorne went on to do accomplish one of his biggest fortes. Being dedicated to the future and history of Cochrane his enthusiastic efforts would establish The Cochrane Ranche Historical Society. It would open its doors in May of 1979 one month before Copithorne passed away on June 4, 1979. It is suffice to say that Copithorne's life was well-rounded and he died a happy soul.
