John B. Pope was a farmer and he purchased a number of Oxford farms, as well as owning several hundred acres in Woodbury and Watertown. He was prominent in Oxford's dairy business and also was interested in the buying and selling of cattle and horses. He also engaged for many years in the lumber business. He operated a steam sawmill and manufactured charcoal in Oxford. He was considered one of the most active and progressive businessmen of Oxford in his time.
    He was a Democrat and served in the State Legislature in 1881 and 1882. He was First Selectman of the town in 1900, 1901, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1908, 1910. In those days the selectmen were chosen annually. He was also a member of the Board of Selectmen - but not the first selectman - during the years from 1899 through 1910.

JOHN N. POPP

    John N. Popp was born in 1841 in Bavaria, Germany and came to America in 1865. Shortly thereafter he came to Seymour and resided in that town until his death in 1897. He was a merchant tailor by trade, and set up his own business in Seymour.
    He was a member of the German Lutheran Church before his arrival in Seymour. At that time he joined the Seymour Congregational Church and remained in that congregation until his death.
    He was a member of the Democratic party, up to the campaign of 1896, when he supported William McKinley.
    Popp married Miss Sarah E. Wirth, born in Seymour, the only daughter of another Bavarian immigrant.
    Socially, Popp was a member of many social and fraternal groups, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the New England Benefit Association and the German Society of Hermanns-Sohne.

CORNELIUS W. MUNSON

    Cornelius W. Munson was a native of Waterbury. His father, a mechanic, died six months before the birth of Cornelius. His mother re-married, and the family lived for a time in Wolcott. He returned to Waterbury to learn the carpenter's trade and went into business in the area of Oxford that is now