biographies
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The settlers

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Charles L. Coppens is a native of Belgium. His parents, Francis and Maria Coppens, came to America in 1846 and located in Oakland county, removing in 1952 to Kent county. His father died March 20, 1852; and his mother, July 21, 1880. Mr. Coppens was born March 29, 1842, and in 1865 went to Pennsylvania and engaged with G. H. Anderson at superintendent of his oil wells. After two years he returned and engaged in agriculture. He was married April 24, 1872 to Louisa M. Tyler, born, Nov. 3, 1848. They have two children - F. T. and Claude F. Mr. C, owns 160 acres of land , and is occupied with farmn interests and raising stock. He is building a handsome residence of white brick, two-stories high, and finished inside with cherry.

George F Coppens, a life resident of this tp., a born Nov. 27, 1856, He is the son of Francis and Maria (De Smith) Coppens. He was bred a farmer and received a good English education. He was married to Alzina Vanderhoof, June 29, 1879. Her parents were Richard and Mary (Hulbert)-Vanderhoof. They leave one child-Lloyd M. Mr. C.'s farm comprises 80 acres. His wife is a Baptist.

Source : (collective work) : History of Kent County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, aborigines, French, English and American conquests, and a general review of its civil, political and military history.; Chicago: C.C. Chapman & Co., 1881, 1414 pgs.