Interviewer: Ella Robinson
Jan 11, 1937
 

NOTE: Items enclosed by "<  >" were added by the transcriber from other records

Charles KOLPIN, born in Germany 1840 <son of Yack F. & Fredeckia KOLPIN>, was reared and educated in his native country. He served in the military in the Austrian Army under General VON ARMIN. Tiring of military service, he came to America in 1869, landing in New York. By some unknown circumstances her was attracted toward the West, coming immediately to Fort Gibson, Indian Territory. Having been favorably impressed with the country, he applied to the United States for naturalization and was admitted to U.S. citizenship in 1870.

He had to secure a permit from the Cherokee Tribe before he was allowed to stay and work in their nation.  In 1875 he married Eliza LILLARD, a Cherokee <born 1858, 1/16th Cherokee- Dawes Enrollment #14056>. They located on land four and one-half miles from Tahlequah and lived on this farm for 60 years.

Having been trained in his native country in the arts and crafts of workmanship in connection with farming and stock raising, he also operated a blacksmith and woodwork shop. By such means he was able to maintain an independent living, regardless of existing conditions throughout the rest of the country.

He was the father of two sons and two daughters

            <Kolpin, John P. born 1876, 1/32nd Cherokee- Dawes Enrollment #29921>
            <Kolpin, Leon, born 1880, 1/32nd Cherokee- Dawes Enrollment #14057>
            <Kolpin, Dora, born 1878, 1/32nd Cherokee- Dawes Enrollment  #29922- m/G. W. CORN>
            <Kolpin, Augusta, born 1897, 1/32nd Cherokee- Dawes Enrollment #14058>

He had not been to town (Tahlequah) for nearly twenty years, saying that he "could not see the town if he went there, because of all of the houses they had built all over".

Charles W. KOLPIN died in June 1936.
 
 
 

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