Peter Joseph Koppi and two brothers immigrated from Hungary to the United States as young men. Katherine Mueller and two sisters immigrated from Germany to the United States as young women. These three brothers married the three sisters. Peter Koppi and Catherine Mueller married in 1909, and to this union were born 8 children, Michael being the eldest. Both parents are deceased.

In 1911, Mr. Koppi took up a homestead in Stark County, North Dakota and later was a blacksmith in Antelope, North Dakota, making complete wagons along with the blacksmith trade for the farmers in that area. In 1919, he began railroading in Gladstone and when promoted to foreman, the family moved to Zap, North Dakota, where he was a Northern Pacific employee until his retirement in 1950.

Michael Joseph Koppi, the second generation Koppi, has spent a lifetime working for Northern Pacific Railroad, retiring in 1974, after 49 years of railroading in different capacities. At the time of retirement, he was a track supervisor. Living now with his wife, Lysandra, in Valley City, Michael Koppi has expertise in hunting, fishing and knowledge of firearms. As a ball player for 20 years in early life, he recalls a number of games when the famous Satchel Paige pitched against him, as he was the pitcher for his team.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 129