Oppy - Family
Source: H. W. Beckwith History
of Montgomery County, Indiana (Coal Creek Township) (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881)
The Oppys.
David and Elizabeth
(Edwards) Oppy were natives of Virginia, and moved when young to Ohio. David's
father died in the revolutionary war, and David sent a substitute to the War of
1812. In 1828 David entered 320 acres of land in Montgomery County, in what is
now Coal Creek township, and in 1830 moved his wife and family of seven
children to their new home, also leaving two married children in Ohio, one of
whom afterward followed. Mr. Oppy soon entered 160 acres more and continued to
add to his farm. He died October 3, 1855, in his eighty-second year, and she
died March 13, 1866, in her eighty-fifth year. Both were at one time members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, but he joined the Christian Church some years
before his death. To each of his boys, Jesse E., Samuel, and C.J., Mr. Oppy
gave a quarter-section of land to start in life, and to each of his six
daughters, Susanna, Nancy, Catharine, Mary, Elizabeth, and Sarah, he gave $200
in cash, and also each child received $1,000 as a final share of his wealth.
With labor, hardships and economy he had been able to garner for his children.
C.J. Oppy, son of David and Elizabeth, was born November 25, 1816 in Adams
County, Ohio and emigrated with his parents to Montgomery County. He was
married in 1843 to Elizabeth Whitlatch, who died January 9, 1863, leaving three
children: Noah W., George A. and Mary J. She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Mr. Oppy was next married, November 12, 1863 to Margaret
Wilson, whose death occurred February 21, 1879. She was a Methodist. She left
four children by her first husband: James, John C., Thomas F. and Edward T.
Wilson. Mr. Oppy's last marriage took place December 2, 1879 to Rachel Hoff, of
Union township, Montgomery County. She is a Presbyterian. Mr. Oppy received a
start in life from his father, and by improving the talent added to his
possessions till he owed at one time 1,612 acres of land. Some of this he has
sold. He has given each of his own children a farm varying from 107 to 180
acres, according to the value of the land, and now owns 410 acres in his home
farm. In the fall of 1880, having labored sufficient, he moved to
Crawfordsville, where he owns a neat property and lives in retirement. Mr. Oppy
has been a strong supporter of the democracy all his life. His children are
married and settled. Noah W. Oppy was born in Montgomery County, Indiana,
December 12, 1848, on the old homestead. He received a common school education.
He was married March 20, 1879 to Alice Bell, daughter of Jeptha and Sarah
(Bowyer) Bell. She was born in Tippecanoe County, December 31, 1858. Her
parents were natives of Indiana; her father died May 17, 1880, aged
fifty-three, and her mother died April 16, 1861. Both were Christians, and are
buried in Tippecanoe County. Mr. and Mrs. Oppy settled on their farm and bid
fair to be successful. They own sixty acres of the Oppy entry. They have one
child, Charles O., born April 16, 1880. Both are Church members. George A. Oppy
was born October 8, 1854, and is a farmer. He owns 170 acres of land. He was
married March 17, 1880 to Martha J. Miller, daughter of Andrew J. and Nancy
(Burres) Miller. She was born November 30, 1859, in Montgomery County. Her
parents were natives of Ohio. Her parents came to Montgomery County when quite
small. He was born May 9, 1829, and moved to Iowa and there died February 27,
1872. His wife still survives. Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Oppy are Methodists, and he is
a democrat. Mary J. Oppy was born February 13, 1857, and was married March 20,
1879 to George Westfall. They have one child, Dayton B. - typed by kbz