Taylor Smith Copeland

TAYLOR SMITH COPELAND, the eldest son of Moses and Mary Ellen Kiser Copeland, was born in Ripley Co., Indiana on March 19, 1849. He moved to Boone County with his parents and siblings when he was twelve years old. He was married twice; the first time to Martha Emeline Vidito, the daughter of Leonard Chancy and Emely Jane Cox Vidito, on November 12, 1871.

Taylor and Martha began housekeeping in a log cabin on his father's farm, southeast of Lebanon, Indiana.

He taught school one winter, but had to give up this occupation on account of ill health. He worked on the railroad section two winters. His chief occupation was farming, and he still stuck to farming until the time of his death, May 16, 1923.

To his first wife, the following children were born: Charles Copeland, November 15, 1872; Harry Woodson Copeland, February 23, 1875; Mary Emley Copeland, March 11, 1881; Taylor Smith Copeland, Jr., April 16, 1883; Blanche Copeland, November 23, 1886; and Grace Copeland, August 19, 1890.

His first wife and mother to his children, Martha Emiline Vidito Copeland, died July 22, 1914. On September 20, 1915 he married Martha's sister, Vernelia Frances Vidito. She died April 28, 1948 in Terre Haute.

He died of cancer on May 16, 1923. He is buried in Center Cemetery near Lebanon, Indiana along with Martha.

Submitted by: Martha Jane Walker Copeland