HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2020
Hello Again Everyone,
First, a shout-out to all the wonderful Mothers who are reading this. Happy Mother's Day!!
So, how did you all do on my email question that was sent out announcing this Mother's Day blog? What do the names Ashton, Ferguson and Horton all have in common? In our family, there are two correct answers. (Hint: they definitely have to do with celebrating Mother's Day!)
Okay, first, those last names represent the maiden names for 3 of your great-grandmothers: Elizabeth Ashton, Ethel Ferguson, and Mary Jane Horton. (note: Connie and I have 2 great-grandmothers in that list as Ethel is actually our paternal grandmother)
Second, and this one is a bit more difficult, those names represent the "middle names" of the first 3 male descendants of Arnold Coppock: Ashton Horton, Clyde Ferguson, and Darrell Ashton. Now, let's discover a little more about all three.
Elizabeth Ashton was born in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, England on October 8, 1864. Three years later, the James Ashton family emigrated to the United States. First settling in Wisconsin, they moved to Sioux County, Iowa, in the 1870's. In 1882, Elizabeth (then 18) married Charles Smith. They had two sons: Alfred (Al) and William (Bill). It is believed that Charles was a deserter from the British Army, and one day he simply disappeared, never to be heard from again. (At least, this is Grandma's story.)
Elizabeth married a young farm worker named Michael Ferguson on October 19, 1887, in Le Mars.
(Michael's first wife, Susan, had been struck by lightning while tending chickens.) Together, they reared 8 children, including Elizabeth's two boys. There were 5 Ferguson girls and one boy John. (As a side note: John Ferguson was killed by tear gas in France during World War I.) Among the daughters was Ethel Delia Ferguson, who later married Arnold Coppock.
Elizabeth Ashton Ferguson died on June 13, 1935, in Le Mars.
Mary Jane Horton was born on March 30, 1863, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Mary Jane's father, Captain Oliver Horton, was a decorated Union officer during the Civil War. (There will be more on Captain Horton in an upcoming blog - a very interesting guy!) After the war, Oliver moved his family to Carroll, Iowa. Mary Jane was one of 11 children.
On July 2, 1882, Mary Jane married Harvey Coppock. They lived in and around Carroll until 1895, when they moved to a farm in Plymouth County. (*Note that this is one of the quirks with genealogy research: Mary Jane's obituary lists a July 22 wedding, but I have the original marriage certificate and it is dated July 2nd.) Mary Jane and Harvey had 8 children (5 daughters and 3 sons). Arnold J Coppock was born May 23, 1895.
After living in Sioux City for a few years, they bought a home with 5 lots in Le Mars. Mary Jane tended a big garden, with fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Grandma remembered many wonderful Christmas get-togethers in the home.
Mary Jane Horton Coppock died at her home in Le Mars on October 26, 1925.
ETHEL DELIA FERGUSON was born September 30, 1897, in Le Mars. Ethel was one of 6 children born to Michael and Elizabeth Ashton Ferguson. In my two previous blogs, I wrote quite extensively about my Grandma Coppock. She had 4 sisters and 1 brother (mentioned above). Ethel and Arnold were married August 24, 1914, and had 2 sons: Ashton and Clyde.
She was a loving grandmother, and she would have done anything for her 3 grandchildren. One of my fondest memories is going to their house to eat dinner with them every Thursday night while I was in junior high and high school. I'm sure I missed a few, but Grandma would always call and ask what I wanted for supper that night.
There will be more stories to come about Grandma (and Grandpa) so I'll just say that she was a very loving and giving person. She was a devout Christian and a long-time member of the First Baptist church in Le Mars.
Grandma died on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1994, in Le Mars.
Pictured below is Grandma with her brother and sisters. (Yes, she wrote the names in ink on the photo!) Ethel is in the middle of the bottom row.
As a final tribute on this Mother's Day it is only fitting to recognize 3 other Coppock mothers who are no longer with us. Still, we remember their love, kindness, and joy that they brought to this family.
DOROTHY AHERN COPPOCK was born in Le Mars on October 16, 1915. Dorothy married Ashton Coppock on June 20, 1939, in Le Mars. Ashton and Dorothy had one daughter, Connie Colleen Coppock, born June 20, 1946. Dorothy passed away on March 25, 1975, in Denver, CO.
JANICE KAY COPPOCK BATES was born November 17, 1945, in Le Mars, to Clyde and Helen Coppock. Jan married William W. (Bill) Bates on September 7, 1968. Jan and Bill had 3 children: Kim, Suzanne, and William W. (Bill). Jan passed away on January 28, 2001, in Holcomb, Kansas.
HELEN KERN COPPOCK was born September 15, 1917, in Le Mars. She married Clyde Coppock on June 4, 1939, in Le Mars. They had 2 children: Darrell Ashton and Janice Kay.
Clyde passed away on March 1, 1965, and she married Adrian Kale on December 31, 1976. Helen passed away on July 25, 2016, at the age of 98.
And, finally, to all of the Mothers who are reading this today, may God bless you and be with you for all the love and care you have provided through the years. We love you all very much!!!
DAC
5/10/20
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