BIO: William J. KOPP, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 854 & 855.
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  WILLIAM J. KOPP, one of the leading citizens of Karthaus township, where he is 
engaged in general farming, was born on his present place, July 6, 1855, and is 
a son of Martin and Caroline (Heichel) Kopp, who, for years were among the most 
highly respected people of this section.
  Both parents of Mr. Kopp were born in Germany although in different provinces.  
Martin Kopp came to America with his parents, who settled at Tremont, Schuylkill 
county, Pa.  He had two sisiters and four brothers, the latter being:  Conrad 
and Daniel, who lived at Tremont; Philip, who lived in Iowa, and John, who died 
young.  One year after his marriage, Martin Kopp left Schuylkill county and 
started for Karthaus township, Clearfield county, journeying to Tyrone by way of 
the canal and from there by wagon.  He bought 150 acres of wild land from Peter 
Karthaus and had to clear a spot before he could erect his first log house.  
From this little home, in 1864, went out five soldiers to fight the battles of 
the country, three of these being Heichels, the fourth being Jacob Hertlin, all 
boarders, and the fifth being Martin Kopp, and all returned alive.  Uriah Clark, 
Mrs. Kopp's father, enlisted near the beginning of the Civil war, at Lock Haven, 
Clinton county, as a private in company D, 7th Regt. Pa.  Reserve Volunteer 
Infantry, and also served in Co. E, 190th Regt. Pa. Vol. Infantry.  His period 
of service was marked with hardship.  He took part in many of the most important 
battles of the war, including Shiloh (where he was wounded in the shoulder), 
Gettysburg and Roanoke.  He was captured by the Confederates at the battle of 
the Wilderness, and incarcerated in Andersonville prison, nine months and 
twenty-one days.  There he was kept until little life remained, his exchange 
coming just in time to preserve it.  At Shiloh, where he was wounded, he had a 
brother killed by his side.  His death occurred June 20, 1902, when he was 
eighty-two years old, and his burial was at Oak Hill.
  Martin Kopp married Catherine Heichel, a daughter of Christopher and Johanna 
Catherine (Stein) Heichel.  They came to America in 1855 and located in Karthaus 
township, where Mrs. Heichel died in 1869 and her husband in 1879.  Mrs. Kopp 
died September 28, 1909, and her burial was also at Oak Hill.  Two sons were 
born to this marriage:  William J. and Daniel, the latter of whom lives at 
Newburg, Ore.
  William J. Kopp was reared in Karthaus township and attended the local 
schools.  With the exception of four years, during which he was in the far West, 
Mr. Kopp has always resided here and is one of the best known men of his 
township.  As a citizen he is held in high esteem and is a leader in Democratic 
politics in this section and has served as assessor, road master and in other 
offices for a number of years.
  On May 21, 1885, Mr. Kopp was married to Miss Annie Nora Clark, who was born 
at Beech Creek, Clinton county, Pa., and is a daughter of Uriah and Mary 
(Liggett) Clark.  Mr. Clark was born in an old stone house where the Potter 
House now stands, in Karthaus township.  He died at DuBois, Pa., where the 
mother of Mrs. Kopp still resides.  Formerly they resided at Winterburne, 
Clearfield county.  To Mr. and Mrs. Kopp the following children have been born:  
Willard; Margaret, who is a popular teacher in Karthaus township; Edward, who is 
settled on a ranch in Oregon; Mabel Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the township 
High School, holds a teacher's certificate; and Theresa, Leona, Gaylord, 
Beatrice, Genivieve and Harvey, twins, Myra, William and Clark.  Mr. Kopp and 
family are members of the Lutheran church at Oak Hill.  He is identified there 
with the lodge of Odd Fellows.  With other members of his family, he is a 
musician of more than usual ability.  His father was a skilled violinist, while 
his brother, Daniel, was an instructor in music.  At one time the brothers had a 
musical organization of their own which was well known locally as Kopp's Band.