My Genealogy Hound

CLARK COPPOCK, farmer; P. O. West Milton; born on the place where he now resides, April 13, 1832; is a son of James and Jane Coppock. His father was born in South Carolina in the year 1799; his mother was born in 1804. James Coppock came with his widowed mother, from their native State, to Miami Co., in 1805; their journey was made across an almost impassable wilderness with a very light team, and the elder children were obliged to walk almost the entire distance. Upon their arrival, she entered the northeast quarter of Sec. 7, where Clark, her grandson, now resides. On this land she lived until her death, which occurred when at an advanced age. She had seven children, six sons and one daughter, viz., Eunice, Aaron, Isaac, Layton, John, Joseph and James, who was married to Jane Huntsman, by whom he had twelve children ten living, viz., Chesley D., Calvin, Aaron, Isaac, David C., Lydia, James, Jane, Eunice and Avilla; the deceased are Marajah and Isaac, the latter dying in Missouri. James Coppock departed this life in March, 1867. His wife survived him, and for several years previous to her death was utterly helpless from palsy. The 9th of March, 1875, her spirit winged its flight, aged about 71 years. Clark’s boyhood days were spent in a manner usual to youth, and, as years developed his frame and toughened his muscles, he grappled with the difficult physical labors incident to the farm. On the 7th day of January, 1855, he led to the marriage altar Miss Emiline B. Niles, a daughter of Ephraim and Fanny Niles, who were among the early settlers in this county. After the celebration of his nuptials, he removed to a farm of 160 acres in Franklin Township, Darke Co., on which he remained two years, and then embarked in the mercantile business in Laura, this county, where he was engaged for four years. Aug. 22, 1862, he responded to the President’s call for troops to suppress the rebellion, and enlisted in Co. G, of the 110th O. V. I., after which he was transferred to the vicinity of Petersburg, Va., where the regiment was placed in the Third Corps, but was soon after transferred to the Sixth, which was commanded by the noble Sedgwick, and after his death by Gen. Wright. He passed through the battle of Winchester, where the boys of the 110th were severely pressed; he took shelter behind a small sapling, which was only large enough to afford a central protection, thus leaving his body exposed on either side. There he remained only long enough to make a few shots; but the tree was struck three times, two of the balls glancing, scattering the splinters right and left, one of which passed into his hand. He was at Cedar Creek, Cold Harbor (called by the boys of the 110th Hot Harbor), and was in the ranks during the terrific and ever-to-be-remembered battle of the Wilderness, in which the roar of guns, hissing and screeching of the missiles of death, were incessant for forty-two consecutive days and nights. There he was fired on by a rebel in such close proximity that the powder from the discharge burned his face and almost blinded him; the bullet whizzed past his head, clipping the tip of the left ear. Here he saw the lamented and brave Sedgwick fall; heard him say, “I do not apprehend an attack on this part of the line,” which were probably the last words he ever uttered, as he fell almost immediately afterward. At Monocacy Junction, his division stood the brunt of the battle, and for a while held Early’s whole army in check; at Cedar Creek, the rebels made a charge on their lines and captured thirty-two pieces of artillery, which they held till noon, at which time the boys from Ohio returned the compliments of the morning, and captured eighty pieces, besides what they lost in the morning. Here he received a wound from a piece of shell in the right shoulder, which almost straightened him out, but refused to go to the hospital, staying on the field until able to take his place in the ranks. This regiment is deserving of more than a passing notice; but our space forbids, and our ability will only permit us to say, none did their duty more bravely, or passed through greater hardship, than the 110th O. V. I., which came home with thinned ranks, and with battered and battle-torn banners. He was discharged from the service of his country June 25, 1865, having served nearly three years. Upon his return home, he engaged principally in stock-dealing, which he followed until 1875, at which time he removed to the old home farm, where he now resides. In offices he has been well represented, having discharged the duties of Constable, Supervisor, Trustee and School Director. Mr. and Mrs. Coppock are the parents of five children, of whom four are living, viz., Francis M., Angeretta, Lewis N.. and Susana P.; Eldora, deceased.