True American Patriots - Veterans Day 2020

CAPTAIN OLIVER HORTON (1829-1918), our Great-Grandfather, was a decorated Civil War veteran as well as serving in the Iowa House of Representatives and in various community leadership positions in and around Carroll County, Iowa.  Today is Veteran's Day, and this blog will recognize the services of Captain Horton and others in our family heritage who served our country during wartime.

Oliver Horton enlisted as an infantryman on August 2, 1862, part of Company D of the Pennsylvania 138th Infantry division.  He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on December 16, 1862, and was later promoted to Captain on February 14, 1865, for "valor in action".   He mustered out on June 23, 1865. 

Captain Horton was wounded in the Battle of Cedar Creek, by a shell which killed 7 men in his unit.  He was part of the raid on the Spottsylvania Court House, where he took a sword from a Confederate officer.  That sword was laid on his casket and buried with him.  

On December 30, 1849, Captain Horton married Louise Grove at Hopewell, PA.  They moved to Iowa in late 1865, where they settled on a farm near the town of Carroll.  The couple had 11 children, one of whom was our Great Grandmother Mary Jane (Arnold's mother) who later married Harvey J. Coppock.

Oliver represented his District in the 22nd and 23rd sessions of the state legislature.  An activist in the Iowa Democratic party, he served 6 years as a member of the Board of Supervisors for Carroll County, and was Secretary of the local school board for 24 years.  Captain Horton died on May 6, 1919.

In addition to Oliver Horton, our family has another Civil War veteran:  JOHN JAY COPPOCK, our Great-Grandfather who also served in the Union Army as a Private in Company D of the Ohio 19th Infantry Regiment.  John Jay Coppock was Harvey's father.  (I think it's interesting that Grandpa Arnold had two great-grandfathers that fought for the Union in the Civil War.)

Private Coppock enlisted on September 23, 1864 and was mustered out on June 9, 1865.  John Jay Coppock was born on January 20, 1841, in Franklin, Ohio.  He married Sarah T. Coate in 1860, in Darke County, Ohio.  Their oldest son, Harvey J Coppock, was born on March 28, 1861, in Ohio.  After serving in the Civil War, he moved his family to a farm near Carroll, Iowa.  His final years were spent in rural Woodbury County, near Sioux City.  John Jay Coppock died on January 11, 1909. 

Arnold J Coppock did not serve, though he did complete a World War I Draft Registration Card.  He was of the prime age (24); however, he worked as an Express Agent for the Railroad, thus gaining an exemption as a "necessary worker for the war effort".

Brothers ASHTON HORTON COPPOCK and CLYDE FERGUSON COPPOCK both served during World War II.  Ashton enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the naval air base near Cocoa Beach, FL as an airplane mechanic.  He served his full 4 years in that capacity.

My father, Clyde, wasn't so fortunate.  Though he had one eye, and a history of illnesses, he was drafted in to the United States Army in February of 1943.  A certified meat cutter, he served at Fort Lewis in the state of Washington.  After his second heart attack while cutting meat, he was given a medical discharge in August of 1943.

Both were very proud of their service to their country.  Ashton and Clyde were members of the Wasmer American Legion Post in Le Mars.  Their respective flags were dedicated and are flown at the Plymouth County Courthouse each Memorial Day, along with other Plymouth County veterans.  (photo below)  

One other interesting fact in our family history:  this blog began with John Jay Coppock.  John Jay's father was Joseph Coppock.  Joseph's father was John Coppock.  John married Anna Jay in 1772.  Are you still with me?  Okay, Anna's father, WILLIAM JAY, served as a Private in the Continental Army, fighting for American independence during the Revolutionary War.  

Our Great-Grandfather x 7 was a PATRIOT!!!  As of this writing, I am still in the process of preparing documentation to become a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.  Wish me luck!

This final photo is of the Plymouth County Courthouse in Le Mars during Memorial Day 2019.  Two of those flags are placed in honor of our fathers/grandfathers/great-grandfathers Ashton Horton Coppock and Clyde Ferguson Coppock.  Today, we remember their service.  In these turbulent times, whether we are Democrats our Republicans, it is time to come together and remember the sacrifices of so many as we enjoy our freedom and liberty.  God Bless the United States of America!

DAC  11/11/20

P.S.  A Happy Birthday shout-out to cousin Matt Dutka on his birthday this Friday.  Have a great day, Matt!