My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM COPELAND. The uncompromising integrity, persistent industry, and thrifty habits of the Scotch race are well represented in the life, character, and acquisitions of the gentleman above named, who occupies a farm in Clark County. He was born in Galloway, Scotland, August 29, 1832, and in his native land received his youthful training and education. At the age of nineteen years he determined to seek a home in the New World, and after landing on the Eastern shores of the United States came directly to Springfield, Ohio. He remained in that place but a short time before going to South Charleston, making his home with George Murray, and remaining there three years.

Mr. Copeland then began farming, buying a tract from James Pringle, which was scarcely more than a pond at that time. He drained and otherwise improved it, remaining upon it four years and making of it a fertile estate which he sold for $65 per acre, an advance of $23 per acre on its cost price. He then bought one hundred and forty-four acres in Madison Township, which he still owns and occupies, and to which he has added largely. Much of the land which he now owns has been cleared by himself with the help of his boys. He takes no active part in public life except to serve in offices of a strictly local nature, but pursues the even tenor of his way, doing well what his hand finds to do in the work which he has chosen, and finding in the companionship of his own family and the society of his friends all the recreation which he desires.

The parents of Mr. Copeland were George and Margaret (Murray) Copeland, both natives of the Land of the Thistle, where the father spent his entire life. The mother, who married a second time, came to America a year after the arrival of our subject.

On May 1, 1856, the gentleman of whom we write was united in marriage with Miss Jane Hopkins, an attractive and energetic young lady who was born in County Donegal, Ireland. Her parents, Robert and Jane Hopkins, came to America in 1849, settling near South Charleston, where they lived until recently. The families from which both Mr. and Mrs. Copeland descended have held to Presbyterian faith for many generations past, and to that church our subject and his wife belong. Mr. Copeland is a Republican and has been elected to the office of Township Supervisor. He has also been School Director of this district.

The living children of Mr. and Mrs. Copeland are Robert Walter, who married Miss Ida, daughter of Mathias and Sallie Smith, of Harmony Township, this county, and who has two daughters: Eva May and Fannie; William James, now with his parents at home and attending to the farm; John, who still lives with his parents and is a teacher in the neighborhood; Ethel May, a young lady, who still cheers her parents’ hearts by her presence under their roof. Mr. and Mrs. Copeland mourn the loss of four children: an infant son who died at birth; Lester J., who died August 20, 1878, at the age of four years and seven months; and two daughters who died in young ladyhood. Jennie E. passed away January 5, 1878, at the age of nineteen years, and Maggie, May 3, 1881, at the age of twenty-one years. Both these young ladies were graduates of the High School of South Charleston and had been engaged in teaching. The death of each was occasioned by exposure in going so far to school.