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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cross County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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William H. Copland, a prominent and energetic farmer of Searcy Township, was born in Tennessee in 1827, and was the younger of two children, the result of the union of Thomas and Elizabeth (Huey) Copland, respectively of North Carolina and South Carolina origin. The father was a farmer by occupation principally, but for a long time found employment in overseeing and railroad contracting. In 1840 he was under contract to build three miles on the Georgia Railroad, and after that he followed agricultural pursuits in the last-named State, but before he had gathered the crops, sold out and in 1843 came to Arkansas. He remained in this State but a few months when he went to Memphis and there resided for one year. From there he went to Georgia, thence to Mississippi, but not finding a location to suit him he returned to Tennessee, where he bought land and remained until 1849. He then went to Memphis, and later spent a number of months in various parts of Arkansas, settling eventually in Poinsett County, where he died in 1872 at the age of seventy-three years. William H. Copland remained with his father until 1846, when he came to Arkansas and located in what is now Cross County, where he farmed for a number of years on rented land. In May, 1859, he married Mrs. Hester Stanley (nee Hamilton), a daughter of Theopolis and Mary Hamilton, natives of Georgia and South Carolina, respectively. Mrs. Hamilton was born in a fort which the men protected from the Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton came to Cross County, Ark., in 1836, and settled on what is now known as the Bay Road. They were obliged to go a long way to mill and endured many hardships. Mr. Hamilton bought 160 acres of land in 1837, cleared about forty acres, erected buildings and made quite a pleasant home. He did much to improve the country, and took a great interest in politics, and in fact all that pertained to the good of the country. He died in 1849. His daughter Hester, the wife of the subject of this sketch, was married first in 1837 to Mr. George Shaver, also a descendant of one of the old pioneer families. He died in 1846 leaving his wife with three children: Obediah, Charles and Mary, all deceased and the sons dying in the army. In 1852 Mrs. Shaver married Mr. S. Stanley, who died in 1859 leaving her with two children, Nancy and Leander, both of whom died in childhood, and the father and children dying within two weeks of each other. At the time of his marriage Mr. Copland had about 100 acres under cultivation, and now has another 100 acres also under cultivation. He has made many improvements, and in 1863 planted an orchard which is still the best in the county. His fine residence was erected in 1855. In 1870 Mr. Copland erected a horse-gin, which he ran for ten years, when it was replaced with a steam-gin. This he sold in 1886. He is the owner of 440 acres of land, 200 of which are under cultivation. In 1863 he enlisted in the Confederate army, was in all the battles of Gen. Price’s raid through Missouri and never received a wound. In November, 1864, he returned home, surrendering at Wittsburg in the spring of 1865. Mrs. Copland is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Copland is a member of the K. of H. In 1876 he fell from a horse and hurt his leg, rendering amputation necessary, the following year. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Copland has been born one child, a son, Willie, whose birth occurred in 1861. He is living at home, and has control and management of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Copland are among the intelligent and much respected citizens of Cross County and are universally respected.

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This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cross County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Cross County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Cross County, Arkansas family biographies here: Cross County, Arkansas Biographies

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