COPENHAFER, John

COPENHAFER, SCHNELBECKER, SHETTLE, LEFEYER, SIMMONS

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/19/2003 at 00:48:29

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JOHN COPENHAFER

John Copenhafer, a well-known retired farmer and substantial citizen of DeWitt, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1832, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Schnelbecker) Copenhafer. The father was born in the same county in 1797, and was a son of Michael Copenhafer, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and of German parentage. In early life Henry Copenhafer followed the millwright’s trade, but later devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, and spent his entire life in his native county, dying there in 1858. His wife, who was also born in Pennsylvania of German parentage, died in 1875.

Our subject’s early educational privileges were limited, and he is almost wholly self-educated. Reared upon a farm, as soon as he was old enough be began to assist in its operation, and remained under the parental roof until he was married, in 1856, to Miss Mary Shettle, also a native of York county, and a daughter of Michael Shettle, who was one of the early settlers of that state. In 1864 her parents removed to Bureau county, Illinois, and the following year went to Grinnell, Iowa, but after spending the summer at that place returned to Bureau county, Illinois, where Mr. Shettle bought a farm and engaged in its operation for some years. His last years were spent in Princeton, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-three, having survived his wife about two years.

After his marriage Mr. Copenhafer rented land in York county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in farming until 1863, when he removed to Bureau county, Illinois, and rented a farm near Princeton for two years. At the end of that time he came to Iowa and located in Jasper county, where he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, but at the end of a year sold out and returned to Bureau county, Illinois, where he continued to operate rented land for ten years. In 1880 he again came to Iowa, and this time settled in Berlin township, Clinton county, where he purchased four hundred acres of land, on which was a good house. He built a barn and made other substantial improvements, and later erected two sets of farm buildings upon the place. It is now one of the best improved and most desirable farms of its size in Berlin township. In connection with the cultivation of his land, Mr. Copenhafer also engaged in raising and feeding stock with good success. He started out in life for himself with no capital; in fact, had to borrow the money with which to get married, and the prosperity that has come to him is but a just reward of his untiring labors and indomitable perseverance. In 1893 he removed to DeWitt and bought residence property, which he has enlarged and remodeled, making a good home.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Copenhafer were born seven children, namely: August, who is married and holds a responsible business position in Kansas city; Emma Jane, wife of Frank Lefever, of Miles, Iowa; William H., who is married and lives on the home farm; Martin, now at North Port, Washington; Clara, wife of S.J. Simmons, a railroad man of Clinton; J.W., who is married and also follows farming on the old homestead; and Mamie, who is in business in Clinton.

Mr. Copenhafer cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, but in 1860 supported Abraham Lincoln, and has since affiliated with the Republican party. In 1872, while living in Bureau county, Illinois, he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and now holds membership in the lodge at DeWitt, where he has filled all the chairs and is now past grand. His estimable wife is a member of the Congregational church. His life record is one well worthy of emulation and contains many valuable lessons of incentive, showing the possibilities that are opened to young men who wish to improve every opportunity for advancement.