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Biographical Sketch John Opp Born: 27 Sept 1843, Heddesheim (Prussia) Germany Died: 3 Feb 1931, Pueblo, Colorado Parents: Peter Op, b. 1808 Germany Agnes (Meyer) Opp, b. 1810, Germany Married: 26 Jan 1865, Oshkosh, Wisconsin Spouse: Lydia Ann (Opp) Opp, b. Pennsylvania Children: 10 children were born to John and Lydia. 1. Agnes B. 1866, Oshkosh, WI 2. Albert George 1868, Oshkosh, WI 3. A son, stillborn 1870, Oshkosh, WI 4. Rosa 1871, Warrensburg, MO 5. Emma 1873, Warrensburg, MO 6. Wihelm (William) 1874, Warrensburg, MO 7. Emil 1877, Warrensburg, MO 8. Lenora Lena (Louisa) 1878, Warrensburg, MO 9. Otto Albert 1882, Warrensburg, MO 10. Frederick 1884, Warrensburg, MO John's Father, Peter Opp was reported from a wealthy family in Germany. The name used to be Count Von Oppen. The owned a Castle. Peter Opp brought his entire family to America, just before the eldest son, John George was old enough to be drafted into the German army. The family came to America in a sailing ship, the Owego, requiring 27 days to cross the Atlantic from Havre to the port of Castle Garden, NY, 27 April 1857. On the passenger manifest John was listed as Johan, age 13. Little is known of John's early years in America. The family had other Opp relatives in Pennsylvania, either in Bucks County or Berks County. John became acquainted with Lydia An, a daughter of the Pennsylvania family and a 2nd or 3rd cousin to John. Our next record of John is his marriage to Lydia in Oshkosh, WI in January 1865. John had been married only two months when he enlisted in the army for service in the Civil War on 10 Mar. 1865. His occupation was shown as a farmer. He was paid $100 bounty for his enlistment. We believe his brother John George enlisted at the same time. John must of been taken prisoner almost immediately after going into battle, he was held in a war prisoner camp until after the war was over a few months later. He was discharged at Madison, WI having only served 5 months 11 days. I recall him saying that about the Only food they had in prison camp was carrots, and he no longer wanted to eat any carrots. John returned to Oshkosh and learned the trade of Carpenter, living there until 21 April 1871. The Opp brothers, John George and John must of been close, both having married sisters, Lovina and Lydia. Both families moved next to Warrensburg, MO, Southeast of Kansas City, in 1871. The remaining seven children were all born in Warrensburg where John apparently worked as a carpenter. Five children died in infancy. Fred the youngest was killed, age 19 in an accident at CF&I steel mill at Pueblo, CO, in 1904. On 27 Sept. 1885, John became a citizen as recorded in Finney County Kansas (Western Kansas). He was age 42. Also in 1885, the family moved to Pueblo, Co where they lived for 18 years until Sept. 1903, when for some reason he and Lydia separated. Now, 60 years of age, John moved by himself to Portland Oregon where he lived for three years. Lydia was left alone at Beulah where she took in washing to support herself, doing it all by hand. In April 1906 John applied for and was granted a pension as a Civil War Veteran. His application listed four living children; Agnes, 1866; William, 1868 (sp 1874); Otto, 1882, and Louisa, 1884 (sp 1878). John next lived for a number of year sat the Soldiers Home at Sawtelle, CA. He was still at the home in 1926 and afflicted with arthritis and debilitating health. John moved back to Colorado in about 1927-1928, living at times with his son, Otto in Pueblo. Later on he and Lydia reconciled, probably through son, William, and the two were living in Lydia's small home in Beulah in 1930. John Opp died in Pueblo in Feb. 1931, age 87. He lies buried in the family plot at Roselawn Cemetery at Pueblo. Lydia died only a few months later in June 1931. John's estate amounted to $257.54. My personal recollection of John Opp was that of a 5 year old boy talking to an 80 year old man. He visited in our home there at the ranch often in 1929-1930, his son, William bringing him down to visit. He was usually dressed in a dark suit with vest and watch draped across the front. At that time we had a large book about the Civil War, about 3-4" thick. He would often read portions of the book perhaps remembering incidents familiar to him about the war in which he had served as an infantry soldier. By- Roy Roper, (a Great Grandson of John Opp). Canon City, CO, Nov 1997.
