BIO: David Copeland, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 171-172.
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  COPELAND, DAVID, D.D., was born in Braintree, Vt., December 21, 1832, 
and died in Royalton, Vt., December 6, 1882, where his body was laid 
away awaiting the resurrection of the just.
  He was educated in the Vermont Conference Seminary and Wesleyan 
University, from which he graduated in 1855.
  "In the year of his graduation he was appointed principal of the 
Monroe Academy, at Henrietta, N.Y., and in 1856 he accepted the 
position of teacher of natural sciences and mathematics in Falley 
Seminary, at Fulton, N.Y.  He joined the Genesee Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in 1858, and was the same year appointed 
principal of the Springville Academy [now Griffith Institute], at 
Springville, N.Y.  In 1865 he was transferred to the Cincinnati 
Conference, and was appointed president of the Hillsboro Female 
College, at Hillsboro, O.  In 1872 he was elected principal of Wyoming 
Seminary, in the place of Dr. Nelson, resigned, and the following year 
he was transferred to the Wyoming Conference.  The position of 
principal of the seminary he held until some two weeks before his 
death.  Dr. Copeland was a natural educator.  After his graduation from 
college he was so frail, physically, that he hesitated for some time to 
attempt anything so far as a lifework was concerned.  Indeed, he 
believed that he would live but a short time.  His principalship of 
Monroe Academy, however, brought to light his rare qualities as a 
teacher, and, although constantly struggling with physical debility, 
his advancement to still more responsible positions in the educational 
field was rapid and substantial.  To each new field of labor he brought 
careful scholarship, wise discipline, and great method in the 
administration of its duties."  His work in connection with Wyoming 
Seminary is always spoken of in highest terms of commendation.
  In 1875 Lafayette College conferred upon him the degree of Ph.D., and 
in 1877 Syracuse and Wesleyan Universities each honored him with the 
degree of D.D.  In 1880 he was elected a delegate of General 
Conference.
  In February, 1882, he suffered from an attack of pneumonia.  After 
rallying from this he spent two months at Clifton Springs, where he 
received considerable benefit.  In the fall he assumed control of the 
school again.  It soon became evident, however, that the end was near.  
He resigned his position, and on a bright day he left the scenes of ten 
years of successful toil and repaired to the scenes of his childhood, 
at Royalton, Vt., where he passed away.