Joshua Copeland was also engaged in farming and left a family in Massac county when he died. -------------------- Joshua was born November 27, 1812 in Sumner Co, TN, and died August 30, 1895 in Hillerman Precinct, Massac Co, IL. Joshua came to Johnson Co, IL from Montgomery Co, TN at the age of four with his family. Indians and wild game abounded and white neighbors were scarce. With $5. He moved to what is now Massac County, purchased a tract of unimproved land, cleared the same, reared his family, He was the oldest living settler in Johnson county at one time. He studied in an old subscription log schoolhouse, but as he was naturally very intelligent, he made up for the lack of early opportunities later in life and secured a fair pratical knowledge which served him in good stead. When he grew up he became engaged to some extent in merchandising, although his principal business was that of farming. He owned a valuable farm of 400 acres, one of the best in the county. At one time he was the owner of over one thousand acres, but sold off a portion, as it was much more than he needed or desired. He married Elizabeth Axley, who died in 1856. He then married Caroline Delphia Evers(the day after her 23rd birthday). It is believed that Caroline and her family were visiting in this area when she met Joshua. He served Massac Co, IL as Judge and was quite active in the affairs of his time. For many years, Joshua had been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church to which his wife belonged.