Moses Copeland
 

MOSES COPELAND was born in Jefferson Co., Indiana on June 10, 1822. His parents were Thomas and Sally (Hopper) Copeland. He was educated in a pioneer log schoolhouse. He had one sister, Elizabeth, and three brothers, John, Smallwood and Ilijah.

In 1843 he married Mary Kiser, daughter of Jacob and Martha (Singer) Kiser, in Ripley County and started farming in that county. They had five children: Sarah Martha Copeland (married Basil T. Smith in 1866); Eliza Jane Copeland, Taylor Smith Copeland (married Martha Emeline Vidito and Vernelia Frances Vidito); Mary Jane (Moll) Copeland (married John Robinson in 1874; and Lewis Woodson (Woody) Copeland (married Mary (Mollie) Ross in 1879 and Dora Slayback in 1888).

Leaving his siblings and widowed mother in Southern Indiana, Moses moved his wife and family to Boone County, Indiana in 1861. He bought an 80 acre farm that was covered with heavy timber. He cleared the timber and added to the farm until he acquired 280 acres.

Not only was Moses a prominent farmer in Boone County, he also taught school two terms. He was a member of the Boone Lodge No. 9 F. &  A. M. He was a member of Center Baptist Church in Lebanon, Indiana where he served as deacon for many years.

Moses died June 20, 1909, at the age of 87, at the home of his granddaughter, Maud P. Copeland (Raymond) Lawler (on Copeland/Neese Road near Lebanon). He is buried at Center Cemetery along with other Copeland relatives.

Submitted by: Martha Jane Walker Copeland