Frank Meade Copeland was born June 8, 1869 in Marion County, Indiana to Rodney and Missouri Rabourn Copeland.

1870 U.S. Federal Census - Clark Township, Johnson County, Indiana, USA
Post Office: Franklin
Household:
Rodney Copeland (39) - Farmer
Mourie [Missouri] Copeland, Wife (30)
Landon Copeland, Son - (10)
Adolpus Copeland, Son (8)
Mattie B Copeland, Daughter (6)
Oner Copeland, Daughter (4)
FRANK COPELAND, Son (1)
Unknown Relationships: Temp Kinnick, James Willis, John Copeland and Robert Moore

1880 U.S. Federal Census - Franklin Township, Marion County, Indiana, USA
Household:
Missouri Copeland, Wife (39) Head
Landen A. Copeland, Son - (20) - Laborer
Adolphus D. Copeland, Son - (18) - Laborer
Mattie B. Copeland, Daughter - (15)
FRANK M. COPELAND, Son - (11) - Attended School
Ora A. Copeland, Daughter - (8)
Mary E. Copeland, Daughter - (7)

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: MISSOURI COPELAND (Widow) - Gender: Female
Residence Year: 1884 - Street Address: 202 Agnes - Residence Place: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Spouse: Rodney Copeland
Publication Title: Indianapolis, Indiana, City Directory, 1884
NOTE: Mr. Rodney Copeland died about 29 Oct 1879 in Johnson County, Indiana, USA. He is buried in the Nolan Cemetery, Johnson County, Indiana, USA. Between 1884 and 1891, Missouri Copeland moved with her children to Mattoon, Coles, Illinois, USA.

Mattoon Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Fri., Jun 9, 1899, Page 1
"Mayor Fry nominated Frank Copeland as third man in the fire department. Robinson moved to confirm appointment. .. The appointment of Copeland was confirmed."

1900 U.S. Federal Census - Mattoon, Coles, Illinois, USA
Residence: 120 South 17th Street, Mattoon, Illinois
Household:
Mary Norvell (29) - Head
Floyd Norvell, Son (9)
Roomers: Edward Daggy (30), Frank H. Morris (22), FRANK COPELAND (29) and Arthur Louis (30).
Frank Copeland was working as a Driver of the Fire Department.

Mattoon Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Fri. Ap 5, 1901, Page 1
"FIRE DEPARTMENT ... The annual election of the fire department was held last Monday evening and officers elected as follows: Chief - J. D. Hill, Driver - FRANK COPELAND, President - M. Needham, Vice President - Wallace Hooker, Recording Secretary - Z. McCoskey, Financial Secretary - George Authenreith; Treasurer - FRANK COPELAND, Funeral Director - Louis Ellis, Standing Committee - Ed Daggy, William Gilbert, Raymond Coon."

Mattoon Daily Journal (Mattoon, Illinois) Thu., Apr 9, 1903, Page 5
"NEW OFFICE CREATED - The office of assistant chief has been created by the Mattoon fire department and FRANK COPELAND has been elected to fill the place."

Mattoon Daily Journal (Mattoon, Illinois) 3 Jun 1903, Wed., Page 1
"TO BE MARRIED - A marriage license was granted this afternoon to FRANK COPELAND, assistant chief of the fire department, and MISS FANNIE THOMAS. It is rumored they will be wedded this evening."

MARRIAGE LICENSE
Full Name of Groom: FRANK M. COPELAND - Place of Residence: Mattoon, Illinois - Occupation: Fireman - Age next Birthday: 34 - Race: White - Place of Birth: Marion County, Indiana - Father's Name: Rodney Copeland - Mother's Maiden Name: ..... Rabourn - Number of Groom's Marriage: First
Full Name of Bride: FANNIE A. THOMAS - Place of Residence: Mattoon, Illinois - Age next Birthday: 22
Race: White - Place of Birth: Cumberland County, Illinois - Father's Name: Doris Thomas - Mother's Maiden Name: Sarah Simons - Number of Bride's Marriage: First
Married at Mattoon in County of Coles and State of Illinois, the 3 day of Jun 1903.
Witnesses to Marriage: Mary E. Schrock and Miss Ora Copeland

Mattoon Daily Journal (Mattoon, Illinois) 4 Jun 1903, Thu., Page 1
"COPELAND-THOMAS - Frank Copeland and Miss Fannie A. Thomas were married Wednesday evening at the home of Harry Schrock at 908 South 17th Street, the ceremony which made them man and wife being performed by Rev. J. B. Horney at 9:35 o'clock.

Mr. Copeland is assistant chief of the Mattoon fire department and is well known in this city. His bride has resided here for the past four years and has won many friends.

The newly married couple will reside at 1813 Lafayette Avenue, where they will commence housekeeping at once."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Mon., Oct 30, 1905, Page 1
"WELCOME ADDITION - An addition was made to the city fire department Sunday in the person of a nine-pound boy (Rodney Leroy Copeland), who arrived that day at the home of Frank Copeland, driver of one of the wagons. It is stated that the lad has a lusty pair of lungs, and that he needs no trumpet to give his parents their orders."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 6 Mar 1906, Tue., Page 6
".. Frank Copeland, chief of Mattoon's band of fire righters, was born June 8, 1870, in Johnson County, Indiana, where he resided until he reached the age of 22. He then came to Mattoon, taking employment at the Dole house as porter. He remained in this capacity for seven years, resigning at the end of that time to take a position as third man on the fire department, which then included one wagon, three men and a limited amount of hose. ..Upon resignation of Chief Hill on December 6, 1905, Mr. Copeland was made chief. .."

Mattoon Morning Star (Mattoon, Illinois) 19 May 1907, Sun., Page 1
"NEW ASSISTANT CHIEF - Mr. and Mrs. Frank Copeland, 1817 Lafayette, have a new daughter (Effie Lavonne), who arrived this morning."

BIRTH OF DAUGHTER: SARA ELLEN COPELAND
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: Frank M. Copeland - Gender: Male - Spouse: Fannie A. Thomas
CHILD: Sara Ellen Reid - Born: 29 Mar 1909 - Birth Place: Mattoon, Coles, Illinois, USA

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Wed., Apr 28, 1909, Page 4
"FIRM TO BE REWARDED - Mayor Elect Welch To See That Craig & Kinzel Get Share of Patronage - ... As predicted some days ago, Frank Copeland, chief of the fire department, will be officially beheaded among the first, and in all probability Dick Hill, a former chief, will head the department."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Mon., Sep 13, 1909, Page 5
"DRIVER FOR HULMAN & COMPANY - Frank Copeland, former chief of the fire department, is now a driver for Hulman & Company, having charge of one of the company's local wagons."

1910 U.S. Federal Census - Mattoon, Coles, Illinois, USA
Residence: 1813 Lafayette Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois - Home Free or Mortgaged: Mortgaged
Household:
Frank Copeland (39) - Occupation: Driver Wholesale - Industry: Grocery Wagon - Able to Read and Write
Fannie Copeland, Wife (27)
Rodney Copeland, Son (4)
Effia Copeland, Daughter (2)
Sarah Copeland, Daughter (1)

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Frank Copeland - Residence Year: 1910 - Occupation: Truckman
Street Address: 1813 1/2 Lafayette Avenue - Residence Place: Mattoon, Illinois, USA
Publication Title: Mattoon, Illinois, City Directory, 1910

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Fri., Apr 19, 1912, Page 6
"LEAVE FOR TEXAS - Frank Copeland and family departed this afternoon for Wadsworth, Tex., to make their home."

BIRTH OF SON: FRANK KENNETH COPELAND
Texas, Birth Certificates, 1903-1932
Name: Frank Kenneth Copeland - Birth Date: 24 Aug 1912 - Gender: Male - Birth Place: Matagorda (County), Texas, USA - FATHER: Frank M. Copeland (Occupation: Hotel Proprietor) - MOTHER: Fannie A. Thomas - Mother Residence: Wadsworth, Texas, USA.

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 3 Mar 1913, Mon., Page 6
"BIG FOUR OBJECTS TO STREET PAVING ASSESSMENT - Special to Journal-Gazette. Charleston, Ill., March 3. -- County court convened today, and among the business transacted outside of the regular routine was the selection of a jury to hear testimony in the case of the city of Charleston against the Big Four Railroad Company, .. The jurors selected are: ... Richard McKenzie, J. L. Ingle, S. F. Bushu, Lewis Myers, Ralph M. Lytle, Arch Chism and FRANK M. COPELAND, all of Mattoon."

DEATH OF MOTHER: MRS. MISSOURI E. COX
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 25 Aug 1916, Fri., Page 1
"The death of Mrs. Missouri Ellen Cox, wife of O. W. Cox, occurred at 11:20 o'clock Thursday night at the family home, 601 Broadway, following an illness of four weeks from stomach trouble. .. She married on November 24, 1858, to Rodney Copeland, whose death occurred in Indiana thirty-five years ago. ..

There are seven surviving children of the first marriage: L. A. Copeland, Peoria; A. D. Copeland, Mattoon; Mrs. R. A. Gabbert, Mattoon; Mrs. J. E. Allison, Sioux City, Iowa; Frank Copeland and Miss Ora Copeland and Mrs. H. A. Schrock, Mattoon. ..."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Sat., Jun 7, 1919, Page 6
"DINNER GUESTS - Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Copeland entertained a few relatives at dinner on Thursday evening in honor of Charles B. Thomas, brother of Mrs. Copeland, who has just returned home from overseas. He was in the army of occupation just before sailing for home. He was in the St. Mihiel drive, the Envenzue sector and the Argonne offensive of October 19 until the signing of the armistice. ..

Charles B. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. William French and children, Miss Catherine Culver, Miss May McKenzie, Clark Thomas, B. Thomas and Arthur Thomas were guests."

1920 U.S. Federal Census - Mattoon, Coles, Illinois, USA
Residence: 2209 West Broadway, Mattoon, Illinois - Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Household:
Frank Copeland (43) - Occupation: Laundress - Industry: Laundry
Fannie Copeland, Wife (37)
Rodney L Copeland, Son (14)
Effy L Copeland, Daughter (12)
Sarah E Copeland, Daughter (10)
Richard L Copeland, Son (9)
Frank K Copeland, Son (7)

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Thu., Nov 2, 1922, Page 5
"MATTOON MAN BUYS FARM - R. A. Gabbert of Mattoon has purchased from Roy Slover of Mattoon the eighty-acre farm known as the former McSpadden farm, located three miles east of Neoga on the gravel road. It will be occupied by Frank Copeland of Mattoon. .."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Thu., Jul 3, 1924, Page 6
"BIRTHDAY PARTY - A party was given on Tuesday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thomas, 1105 Richmond Avenue, Mrs. Thomas entertaining quite a company of guests in honor of Mr. Thomas' birthday anniversary.

Those present were: ..., Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Bresee, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Thomas, ..., Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Thomas, ... Mr. and Mrs. William French, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Copeland, ..., Misses Minnie Bresee, ..., Effie Copeland, Sara Copeland, Charlene French and Gladys Maxedon; ... Rodney Copeland, Richard Copeland, Kenneth Copeland, ..., Arthur Thomas, Monroe French, Will French. .."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Sat., Mar 31, 1928, Page 11
"Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Copeland have purchased a home in Mattoon at 513 North Thirty-second Street, and will move their family to that place."

MARRIAGE OF DAUGHTER: EFFIE COPELAND
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Sat., Jun 22, 1929, Page 4
"GAMBEL-COPELAND - George Gambel and Miss Effie Copeland, both of Evanston, were united in marriage in that city on Monday, June 17, at the home of Rev. and Mrs. W. D. McIntosh, Rev. McIntosh officiating at the ceremony. ... Mrs. Gambel is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. M Copeland of this city."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Wed., Jan 15, 1930, Page 6
"Frank M. Copeland, 513 North Thirty-third (32nd) Street, had his tonsils removed today."

1930 U.S. Federal Census - Mattoon, Coles, Illinois, USA
Residence: 513 North 32nd Street, Mattoon, Illinois - Home Owned or Rented: Owned
Household:
Frank M Copeland (60) - Occupation: Janitor - Industry: Hospital
Fannie Copeland, Wife (47)
Rodney Copeland, Son (23)
Sarah Copeland, Daughter (21)
Kenneth Copeland, Son (18)

MARRIAGE OF SON: KENNETH COPELAND
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Mon., Sep 28, 1931, Page 6
"COUPLE MARRIED - Kenneth Copeland of 513 North Thirty-second Street and Miss Bernadine Carlyle, a telephone company employee, residing at 2901 Shelby Avenue, were married Saturday morning in Vandalia. The ceremony was performed by a Baptist minister of Vandalia in the presence of Rodney Copeland, a brother of the bridegroom, and Miss Edith Dunn, both of Mattoon. Mr. Copeland is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Copeland and is employed by A. C. Loomis. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Carlyle. Mr. and Mrs. Copeland will live for the present with the bride's parents."

MARRIAGE OF DAUGHTER: SARAH ELLEN COPELAND
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Fri., Jan 8, 1932, Page 4
"REID-COPELAND - Kermit Reid and Miss Sarah Ellen Copeland, both of this city, were married on Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis. A Methodist minister officiated at the ring ceremony in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Copeland of this city.

Mr. and Mrs. Reid have returned to Mattoon and will soon go to housekeeping here. .. Mrs. Reid is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Copeland, 513 North Thirty-second Street. .."

MARRIAGE OF SON: RODNEY COPELAND
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 12 Aug 1933, Sat., Page 4
"COPELAND-HENDERSON - Rodney Copeland and Miss Leona Henderson, both of this city, were married in Effingham on Wednesday at the Methodist Episcopal church parsonage. Rev. Cullison officiated.

Mr. and Mrs. Copeland have returned to this city to make their home. Mr. Copeland is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Copeland, 513 North Thirty-second Street, and his bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Henderson, 217 DeWitt Avenue."

MARRIAGE OF SON: RICHARD COPELAND
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 28 Jan 1935, Mon., Page 6
"COPELAND-NEIGHBOR - Miss Bessie Neighbor and Richard Copeland were united in marriage at 6:30 o'clock Saturday evening at the Presbyterian manse, with Rev. Horace Batchelor officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Reid, brother-in-law and sister of the groom, were the attendants.

The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Neighbor of Ash Grove. ... Mr. Copeland is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Copeland of Mattoon and is employed in the Big Four shops. Mr. and Mrs. Copeland will reside in an apartment at 3317 Marshall Avenue."

1940 U.S. Federal Census - Mattoon, Coles, Illinois
Residence: 513 North 32nd Street, Mattoon, Illinois - House Owned or Rented: Owned
Inferred Residence in 1935: Mattoon, Coles, Illinois
Household:
Frank M Copeland (68) - Occupation: Retired - Highest Grade Complete: Elementary school, 4th Grade
Fannie A Copeland, Wife
Rodney Copeland, Son (35)
Ora Hammand [Hammett], Sister of Frank Copeland (73)

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: F M [Frank Meade] Copeland - Gender: Male - Spouse: Fannie Copeland
Residence Year: 1940 - Street Address: 513 N 32nd - Residence Place: Mattoon, Illinois, USA
Publication Title: Mattoon, Illinois, City Directory, 1940

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Frank M. Copeland - Gender: Male - Spouse: Fannie Copeland
Residence Year: 1942 - Street Address: 513 N 32nd - Residence Place: Mattoon, Illinois, USA
Publication Title: Mattoon, Illinois, City Directory, 1942

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Frank M. Copeland - Gender: Male - Spouse: Fannie Copeland
Residence Year: 1950 - Street Address: 513 N 32nd - Residence Place: Mattoon, Illinois, USA
Publication Title: Mattoon, Illinois, City Directory, 1950

Daily Journal Gazette, Wednesday April 23, 1952, page 1
"FRANK COPELAND DIES, LONG ILL

Frank Meade Copeland, 82, of 513 N. 32nd St., who was the second oldest member of Mattoon's first volunteer fire department still living, died in Memorial Hospital at 1 a.m. today.

Mr. Copeland had been ill the past two years. He became seriously ill a month ago and was taken to the hospital for treatment Tuesday. Death was due to a complication of aliments.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Mitchell funeral home. Burial will be in Dodge Grove Cemetery.

Mr. Copeland was born in Johnson County, Ind., June 8, 1869, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Copeland. The mother and children moved to Mattoon when he was six or seven years old.

He served on the first volunteer fire team from about 1895 until he became chief of the fire department in 1909. He retired from the department in 1912, and went into farming near Wadsworth, Tex.

He married Miss Fannie A. Thomas of Mattoon June 3, 1903. They moved back to Illinois around 1914, and lived on a farm south of Mattoon until his retirement 15 years ago. They then moved into the city.

Besides his wife, Mr. Copeland is survived by three sons, Rodney, Richard and Kenneth, all of Mattoon; two daughters, Mrs. George Gamble of Des Plaines and Mrs. Kermit O. Reid of Mattoon; nine grandchildren; a great grandson; and a sister, Mrs. Ora Hammett, of Mattoon."

Daily Journal Gazette, Tuesday, April 29, 1952
"FUNERAL SERVICES HELD FOR FRANK M. COPELAND

Six Mattoon firemen acted as pallbearers at funeral services for Frank M. Copeland, 82, chief of the fire department 43 years ago, in Mitchell's funeral home Friday afternoon.

The pallbearers were: Capt. Mark McAndrew, Capt. Alva Beals, Harold Giberson, Russell Fickes, Joe Finnegan and Lloyd Ring. Mrs. O.M. McCoy and Mrs. L.C. Rerdin sang two hymns. Mrs. Cecil Barrow accompanied them on the organ.

Among the out-of-town persons were: Mr. and Mrs. G.K. Gamble and daughters, Louella and Shirley, and Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Schrock and daughters, Sue and Ann, all of Des Plaines; Dick Reid of Urbana; Clarence Beals of Trilla; Mrs. Frances Thomas of Indianapolis, Ind.; and Mr. and Mrs. Toni Martino and son, Mike of Toledo, O."