William L. Copeland facts for kids

William L. Copeland (born in 1846, died December 30, 1885) was an important person in Arkansas history. He was a police officer and a government official. He also served as a state legislator, which means he helped make laws for the state.

William L. Copeland's Early Life and Education

William L. Copeland was born in Ohio. He went to college at Oberlin College, also in Ohio. During the American Civil War, he served as a soldier in the Union Army. After the war ended, he returned to Oberlin College to continue his studies.

Public Service in Arkansas

After his education, William L. Copeland moved to Arkansas. He became a very active person in public service.

Serving in the State Legislature

From 1873 to 1877, Copeland was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. This is a group of elected officials who create and vote on laws for the state. He represented Crittenden County during his time in the House.

Other Government Roles

William L. Copeland was also appointed as the assessor for Crittenden County. An assessor is a government official who helps figure out the value of property for taxes. In 1876, he ran for a very important state job. He was the Republican candidate for Arkansas Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is a high-ranking official who handles many important state records and elections.

A Tragic End

William L. Copeland was also a police officer in Little Rock. Sadly, he may have been the first police officer in Little Rock to die while on duty. This means he was killed while doing his job to keep the community safe.

Copeland was an African-American leader during a time called the Reconstruction Era. This was a period after the Civil War when the country was rebuilding. He played an important role in politics during this time.