Biography - Andrew Copeland
ANDREW B. COPELAND, who is engaged in general merchandizing in Walshville, has spent his entire life in this county, having the honor of being one of its native citizens. He was born in Grisham Township, June 30, 1835, and is a son of Samuel H. and Nancy H. (Gray) Copeland, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Tennessee. Both father and mother came to Illinois in 1828. They were married in the year 1834, locating upon the farm where our subject was born. Their family numbered three daughters, but only one is now living: Elizabeth M., wife of A. T. Strange, who resides near Walshville. The father of this family died in 1847, and the mother afterward became the wife of George Forehand. By their union were born four children, three of whom are yet living: Emma O., wife of G. H. Webster, of Nokomis; Unity J., wife of Franklin Morrison, of Sorento, Bond County; and George H., of Denver, Colo.
The subject of this sketch was quite delicate in his youth, and as he had to ride on horseback five miles to school his educational privileges were necessarily limited, but by reading, observation and experience in later years he has made himself a well-informed man and keeps himself well posted on all the current events of the day. His first business training was received as clerk in a drug store in Hillsboro, where he was employed for four years. In 1861, he engaged in clerking in the store of C. T. Hodges, of Walshville, where he was employed for one year, when, in 1892, he became proprietor of this store and is now carrying on general merchandising. Previously he also engaged in agricultural pursuits thirty years, from 1862 to 1892.
On the 1st of January, 1884, Mr. Copeland was married to Mrs. Sophronia Butler, nee Canon. They have but one child, Edgar Boone. In Grisham Township they have a very pleasant home and the parents are highly respected citizens. Mr. Copeland has faithfully served his fellow-citizens as Justice of the Peace for twelve years, was Treasurer of the school for a period of six years, and has also filled the office of Constable. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and in his social relations is a Mason, belonging to the lodge of Walshville, of which he is Treasurer. In the line of general merchandising, Mr. Copeland has had much experience. Since he started in business for himself, his trade has constantly increased, and by his fair dealing and courteous treatment he has secured a liberal patronage, which he certainly well deserves.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, page 156.
