Coppenbarger Biography
JACOB AND CATHERINE (SNAVELY) COPPENBARGER
Jacob and Catherine COPPENBARGER were among the earliest settlers of DeWitt County. The early written history of DeWitt County states that they arrived in 1824, our research shows that it was a few years earlier that Jacob came. We have found Jacob on the 1820 census of Illinois, as well as his son John. Jacob was born November 1, 1769 in Wythe County, VA., Catherine b. September 1, 1780 was the daughter of John SNAVELY b. Oct. 1759 Smythe County, VA. They were married about 1796 in Wythe County, VA. Jacob truly witnessed the birth of America. He was born in an English Colony and by the time he was twenty years old, he lived in a new country and "The Bill of Rights" were being added to the new constitution. Catherine was born as this new country came alive and would follow the frontier half-way across the continent as the country grew.
Imagine the courage it took to gather their family, and travel across 1500 miles through the wilderness of the early 1800’s. Leaving behind not only their family and friends, but all they knew as civilization and coming to a land filled with Indians and other unknown dangers. From the early records we have found, we know that Jacob and his family took not only their rights but their duties seriously. Jacob Coppenbarger started the first school in DeWitt County in his own home. It was taught by Edom Shugart. Jacob’s son John Coppenbarger built the first grist mill in DeWitt County. Jacob’s sons were of the first to serve jury duty in Dewitt Co. Jacob’s daughter Mary Ann’s marriage to Elisha Butler was one of the first marriages performed in DeWitt County. Her child is said to have been the first white child born in Tunbridge township. Jacob’s sons John, George, and Elias served during the Black Hawk war. Family stories say this was hard because the family had made friends with the Indians and then had to fight them. John also served his country in the War of 1812. Joseph son of Jacob served in the Mexican War. Jacob and Catherine built their home in Tunbridge Township, on the N. E. quarter of section 7, along Salt Creek. One of the earliest Cemeteries was on their property and later became known as "Hays". Jacob Coppenbarger was influential in the establishment of the First Baptist Church and was an elder until his death.
Jacob and Catherine had twelve children: John b. 1797 Wythe Co.,VA.; Elias b. 1799 Wythe Co.,VA.; Jacob II b. 1801 Wythe Co.,VA.; Joseph b. 1803 Wythe Co.,VA.; George b. 1804 Wythe Co.,VA.; Mary Ann (Mrs. Elisha Butler) b. 1808 Blount Co., TN.; Elizabeth (Mrs. Wyatt Strickland) b. 1809 Blount Co., TN.; Sarah (Mrs. Obediah Hooper) b. 1812 Blount Co., TN.; Catherine(Mrs. William Hooper) b. 1813 Bount Co., TN.; Peter b. 1817 Blount Co., TN.; William b. 1820 Blount Co., TN.; and Emaline (Mrs. William Hays) b. 1826 DeWitt Co., IL. Jacob died 17-November-1841, Catherine died 25-April-1857; both are buried at Hays Cemetery within feet of where they raised their family.
Written by Earliene Kaelin, 4x great-granddaughter of Jacob and Catherine Coppenbarger
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