In the year 1728,
Johann Thomas Koppenheffer and his wife, Anna Maria Zinn, set sail for America aboard the 'James Goodwill'. They arrived in the port of Philadelphia on September 11th, 1728. They settled in Heidelberg Twp Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania.
Four years later, in 1732, his father,Wolfgang, mother,Anna Maria Haffner, brother, Michael, and three sisters, Anna Barbara, Anna Rosina, and Anna Catherina sailed into the port of Philadelphia aboard the 'Pennsylvania Merchant'. Ironically the date was September 11th, 1732.
And here, the threads in the fabric of time begin to weave the pattern that is the background of our lives. The history of "us" adds flavor to our lives like spices to soup. The more you learn the more you realize that even so many hundreds of years ago, people were like us. Living their lives and trying to get ahead of the game and just as passionate about standing up for their country as we are.
This map from 1735 (obtained through the Genweb project)
shows the lands of Michael and Thomas 'Coppenhaver' near the Tulpehocken Creek, Myerstown.
These two brothers in 1743 were charter members of Christ Lutheran Church in Tulpehocken, later called Stouchburg.
Thomas would have been proud of his sons. They all fought in the Revolutionary War, two as Captains and two as privates. Unfortunately Thomas died in 1760.
Thomas' son, Michael Koppenheffer, born 1733 is our ancestor. There are several entries on Michael in the records of Christ Lutheran Church, Tulpehocken.
June 3, 1750 he was confirmed by the Rev. Nicholas Kurtz at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tulpehocken.
Michael married Eva Maria Batdorf in 1759. Their first child, Martinus, is our ancestor.
July 2, 1774 he was one of the 780 signers of the Remonstrance of Berks Co.
Between 1777 - 1780 he was a member of the Bethel Twp Militia in the Revolutionary War, serving in Catpain Battorf's 2nd Co. attached to Col. Henry Spyker's 6th Battalion. He was a farmer and distiller in Bethel Twp, Berks County Pennsylvania.
In 1790, Michael was living in Bethel Twp, Berks Co. PA.
April 15, 1801 he purchased a farm from Adam Wise in Mifflin Twp, Dauphin Co. PA.
At the ripe ole age of 90, Michael passed away on November 5, 1823.
Martinus was born March 6,1760, Bethel Twp Berks Co. PA
He was baptized on March 23, 1760 at Christ Lutheran Church, Tulpehocken, Berks Co. His sponsor was, Martin Batdorf.
He married Susanna Artz on May 2, 1786.Their youngest son, Frederick is our ancestor.
He was a farmer in Lykens Twp, Dauphin Co. and Hubley Twp, Schuylkill Co.
Martinus died January 18, 1825 Lykens Twp. Dauphin Co.
He is buried at St. Matthew's Lutheran & Reformed Cemetery, "Coleman's" Lykens Twp.
Row 16 #12 It is a red hand carved stone.
ARTZ, JACOB, Tulpehocken.
May 9, 1793 - June 25, 1793.
To son Jacob my plantation whereon I dwell in Tulpehocken, containing
about 114 acres, paying £800 of which he shall have his share.
To dau. Elisabeth wife of Ansted GLASSBRENNER £100.
To son Christian, Jacob, Eve wife of Valentine BENDER, Susanna wife of
Martin KOPPENHAVER, Catharina wife of Godfrey SCHNEIDER, and Anna Maria
wife of John HOLTSMAN £100 each.
To son Michael tract of land whereon he dwells over the Broad Mountain
in Berks County, containing about 200 acres for £130.
To son Philip tract of land whereon he dwells adjoining Michael's tract,
containing about 200 acres at £110.
Sons Michael and Philip to help John build a house on his land "and my
son Philip is to give three gallons of whiskey towards building said
house." To son-in-law Martin KOPPENHAVER tract whereon he now lives
over the Broad Mountain containing about 160 acres for £68.
Remainder equally divided among my 10 children.
Exrs: Son Jacob and friend Martin BROWN, Jr.
Wits: John LESCHER and Adam WEISZ.
Index Wills/Admins dated 1792 - 1795
Wills: Abstracts: Berks Co, PA 1792 - 1795
Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Thera.
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http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
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Frederick Koppenhaver born December 27, 1803, in Hubley Twp Schuylkill Co. PA
He married Susanna Harner in the early 1820's. They lived in Hubley Twp and had 10 children. Our ancestor is their 2nd child, George.
Frederick died in 1875 and Susanna in 1890. They are buried at St Paul's Lutheran & Reformed Cemetery "Artz" Cemetery in Sacramento, Hubley Twp Schuylkill Co. PA.
Row 11 # 12 & 13.
George Koppenhaver born 1828 in Hubley Twp Schuylkill Co. PA. He died in 1867 in Pennsylvania? There is precious little information in this time period. The family story is that after his death, George's wife, Catherine Wolfe moved the family to Iowa. They had 6 children, five of which came to Iowa with their mother. Our Ancestor is Charles Theodore.
Catherine died in 1913 and is buried at the Rosehill Cemetery, Mechanicsville, Iowa.
Charles Theodore Koppenhaver born 1852 in Pine Grove Twp Schuylkill Co. PA.
He married Mary Elizabeth Crane in Iowa in 1879.
They had nine children, their first born, George Ellis, is our ancestor.
Charles died in 1924 and is buried at Rosehill Cemetery, Mechanicsville, Iowa.
George Ellis Koppenhaver born 1881 in Exira, Audabon Co. Iowa
He married Anna Theresa Foarde on March 3, 1908 in Anamosa, Iowa.
They had 11 children. Leo Foarde is our ancestor.
George died in 1961 and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Anamosa, Iowa.
Leo Foarde Koppenhaver born Feburary 14, 1912 Mechanicsville, Iowa.
Nickname "Ace"
Married Gladys Ione Smith at the Catholic Passonage around 1934.
They had four children of which their first born, Thomas Marvin, was my father.
Leo died June 2, 1981 Maquoketa, Iowa. Buried at Holy Cross, Anamosa, Iowa.
Gladys passed away in her home on the 12th of March, 1991. She is buried at Norwhich Cemetery near Martelle, Iowa. Northwest corner in the front row. :)
Thomas Marvin Koppenhaver born July 19th, 1937 in Anamosa, Iowa.
He married Janice Darline Dayhoff on June 15, 1956 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Anamosa.
They had 6 children of which I am their 5th child, Susan Elizabeth.
Tom and Jan had many tales of their life in Iowa and their travels. They celebrated their 5oth Wedding Anniversary with a party at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Anamosa.
Thomas Marvin passed away on September 21, 2007.
He is buried at Riverside Cemetery Anamosa, Iowa.
He is dearly missed by all who knew him.
Susan Elizabeth Koppenhaver born October 24, 1964 Anamosa, Iowa.
Son, Andrew David Koppenhaver born November 17, 1985 Waterloo, Iowa.
Married Kevin Edward Tapken on July 18, 2001 Anamosa, Iowa.
We currently reside in Anamosa, Iowa.
