Allegiance: Union
Highest Rank: Wagoner
Unit: Company I, 140th New York Volunteer Infantry
Occupation: Sawyer
Buried: Ridge Road Cemetery, Brady Township, Michigan
William Coppernall was born in 1817. A son Hiram was born to William and Clarinda Coppernall in 1847 in Greece, NY. Two daughters, Ellen and Elizabeth "Libby" were also born but tragically did not survive childhood. A second son, Riley, was born in 1851.
On August 27, 1862, at the age of 44, William enlisted as a Wagoner in Company I of the 140th NY Volunteer Infantry. During the Gettysburg campaign William was detailed to the 146th NY due to a depleted Ambulance Corps. William mustered out with his company near Alexandria Virginia on June 3rd 1865.
His son Hiram also joined the war effort and in January 1864 enlisted with the 24th New York Cavalry. He also served into the summer of 1865. Hiram kept a diary that is now in the Civil War Collection of the Clements Library at the University of Michigan.
During the post war years, sometime between 1865 and 1870, the family moved from New York to the Huntington, Indiana area and took up residency there.
William passed away in 1898.
Information and photo courtesy of Dave Henderson.