Several months ago, my dad sent me this photo which was labeled “Margaret Catherine Coppenbarger.” But, there’s a problem: we don’t have anyone on our family tree named Margaret Catherine Coppenbarger. So, who was this young lady?
Thankfully, my dad recently realized he had another copy of the same photo! And, this one was labeled slightly different. It is labeled “Matilda Katherine Coppenbarger Bro. to Josiah.” Of course, it should say she’s Josiah’s sister, not brother, but we do know the identities of both Josiah and Matilda.
Josiah Randolph Coppenbarger (1844-1934) was my great, great grandfather. He was the son of Peter Coppenbarger (1817-1847) and Mary “Polly” Randolph (1818-1885). Since Peter died at the young age of 30, he and Polly only had 3 children: Josiah, Matilda Katherine who also went by Kate (who is the girl photographed), and William Frank who also went by Cottie. Polly was married two more times – once before Peter and once after Peter – so Josiah also had step-siblings.
Matilda Katherine Coppenbarger (1848-1899) married Robert F Barnett (1843-1912) in DeWitt County, Illinois in 1868. She and her husband had three children and were living in Sumner County, Kansas by 1875. She is buried in Grant County, Oklahoma, where she was likely living at the end of her life.
My dad put the photos side-by-side for comparison. Isn’t it interesting how two copies of the photo aged differently?
Are we related? I’d love to talk! Please leave a comment or email me at drleeds@sbcglobal.net.
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