By: Mark Holtsberry
Mathias Coplin was born in Antwerp, Ohio, January 15, 1891. The son of James L. Jr. born January 20, 1868 in Ohio, and Anna M. (Yenser) Coplin, born August 22, 1875 in Sandusky, Ohio. This couple was married July 13, 1890 in Paulding, Ohio. Three children were born into this marriage. Mathias 1891, Ralph Quick 1896, and Paul 1898.
By 1900, the Coplin family was living in Harrison Township, Paulding County. James was farming and Mathias was in school. Two daughters were born into this family, Ester Rachael February 11, 1901 and Martha A. April 25, 1903.
By 1910 the Coplin family was still farming in Harrison Township and Mathias was finishing high school as well as working on the farm.
On June 5, 1917, at the Payne north precinct, Mathias registered for the draft. He was working as a Railroad clerk for the New York Central and St. Louis Railroad system in Payne. He was listed as 5’6″tall, blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion and single. Also his brothers, Ralph and Paul registered for the draft. They were not chosen to serve.
On May 25, 1918, Mathias was selected to join the National Army out of Paulding. He was assigned to serve with Company H., 153rd Infantry at Camp Beauregard Louisiana until July 18, 1918. Mathias was sent to Newport News, Virginia, where he boarded the ship, “Huron”, August 6, 1918.
He was assigned to Headquarters Company 153rd Infantry, November 7, 1918. Then was sent to Headquarters Company 164th Infantry until December 31, 1918. Finishing his tour of service with 3rd Company, 1st Replacement Department Labor Battalion. He was promoted to Private 1st Class, February 11, 1919. He served until July 18, 1919. Mathias was Honorably Discharged from service July 25, 1919.
After coming home from the service he was living with his mother and sister, Martha at Pio Pike in Harrison Township. His mother and father had divorced before 1920. His father, James, passed away December 6, 1927 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Antwerp.
By 1920, Mathias was a farm laborer. By 1930, Mathias and his mother, Anna, had moved to North Laura Street, Payne. He was a house painter.
By 1940, Mathias and Anna were still living on Laura Street. In 1942, Mathias, at the age of 51, had to register for the World War Two draft, as well as his brothers, Ralph and Paul and of course, none of them were chosen.
By 1950, Mathias was still living in Payne. His health began to fail, he was not working and had filed for Social Security. On April 5, 1950, Mathias Coplin passed away and was buried in Wiltsie Cemetery, Payne. He never married.
His mother, Anna, lived with her daughter Martha and her family in Indiana. She passed away, March 8, 1954. She was also buried in Wiltsie Cemetery.
I knew Mathias’s nephew, and son of Ralph, Stan Coplin, such a wonderful spiritual man. He let me make a copy of this photo. I spoke with him this summer, while we both were getting ice cream. Stan passed away November 7, 2022, he too was buried in Wiltsie Cemetery.
…Until Next Time!
