Taylor Smith Copeland, Sr.
Contributed by Martha Jane Walker Copeland
Copeland, Kiser, Vidito -- Families--
Taylor Smith Copeland, the eldest son of Moses and Martha Ellen Kiser Copeland, was born March 19, 1849 in Ripley Co., Indiana. He moved with his parents and siblings to Boone Co., Indiana when he was about 12 years of age. 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.
Moses 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 railrood section two winters. His chief occupation was farming, and he still stuck to the farm 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.
He lived to be 74 years and two months old. He died of cancer on May 16, 1923. He is buried in Center Cemetery near Lebanon, Indiana in Boone County.