Flint DeCosta Copeland (1871-1940)

From the Tennessee legislative composite of 1929-31.

  Tennessee yields a new, unusual name in Flint DeCosta Copeland of Polk County, who represented that area in the Tennessee General Assembly for one term beginning in 1929. A lifelong Tennessee resident, Flint DeCosta Copeland was born in November 1871 in Polk County,  the son of Dr. Warren Jones and Ona "Onie" (McClary) Copeland. It can safely be said that odd names and public service ran in the Copeland family, as Copeland's older brother, Return Meigs Copeland, was named in honor of famed Ohio politician Return Jonathan Meigs Jr. Return Meigs Copeland would himself venture into politics, being a one-term state representative from Polk County from 1899-1901.

  Flint Copeland's early life largely remains obscure, excepting note of his residing in the town of Ocoee with his family. He married in Tennessee to Margaret Malinda Fetzer (1875-1946) in the early 1890s and had several children, including Chass (1893-1969), Warren Jones (1898-1943), Frank G. (birthdate unknown), Flint DeCosta (1910-1973), and infant twins who died in 1912. 

  A farmer and merchant in the Polk County area, Copeland entered local politics in the early 20th century, serving as a Polk County trustee (tax collector) from 1912-16, and for a time held the post of secretary of the County Republican Executive Committee. Elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in November 1928, Copeland's service during the 1929-31 session saw him named to the following committees: Agriculture, Claims, Insurance and Loans, Internal Improvements, Immigration, Motor Vehicles, the Penitentiary, Public Grounds and Buildings, and Social Welfare. 

  Little else is known of Copeland's life following his term in state government. He continued to reside in Ocoee in Polk County and beginning in 1936 took up residence in the town of Copperhill. He died in that town on October 16, 1940, "following an illness of several weeks." He was survived by his wife and children and was interred at the Cookson Creek Cemetery in Polk County. One should also note that Copeland's middle name has a variation in spelling, being given as both "DeCosta" and "DaCosta".