Oren Sturman Copeland [RG1912.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG1912.AM: Oren Sturman Copeland, 1887-1959

Papers: 1935-1942
Lincoln, Neb.: mayor, U.S. Representative
Size: 2 boxes & 8 volumes

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Oren S. Copeland was born on a farm near Huron, South Dakota, on March 16, 1887. He moved with his parents to Pender, Nebraska, in 1891. Copeland attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln from 1904-1907. He served in the City of Lincoln’s Department of Public Safety from 1935 until 1937, when he was elected Mayor of Lincoln. Copeland served one term as Mayor before running for U.S. Congress. He was elected and served as U.S. Representative from Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District from 1941-1943. After leaving Congress he returned to Lincoln where he worked in the retail fuel business. Oren S. Copeland died in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 10, 1958.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection is arranged in five series: 1) speeches, 1938-1940; 2) press releases, 1937-1942; 3) newspaper clippings, 1941-1942; 4) miscellany, 1938-1942; 5) scrapbooks, 1935-1940. These papers relate to Copeland’s career as Lincoln Commissioner of Public Safety, 1935-1937; Mayor of Lincoln, 1937-1940; Congressman, 1941-1942. Eight scrapbooks of clippings form the bulk of the collection.

INVENTORY

Series 1 – Speeches, 1938-1940

Box 1 1938-1940

Series 2 – Press Releases, 1937-1942

Box 2 1937-1942, includes his column, “Copeland’s Comments,” 1941-1942

Series 3 – Newspaper Clippings, 1941-1942

Box 1 1941
Box 2 1942

Series 4 – Miscellany, 1938-1942

Box 2
Item

  1. 1938, Charter of the City of Lincoln, 50 pages copied
  2. 1941, Jan. 8, Statement of the American Farm Bureau Federation outlining desired legislative action
  3. 1941-1942, Guest book

Series 5 – Scrapbooks, 1935-1940 [oversize]

Volume

  1. 1935-1937, Clippings relating to his position as Lincoln Commissioner of Public Safety
  2. 1937-1938, Clippings relating to his career as Mayor of Lincoln
  3. 1939-1940, Clippings relating to his career as Mayor of Lincoln
  4. 1940, Campaign clippings and data
  5. 1941, “Copeland’s Comments,” a weekly news column
  6. 1941, “Copeland’s Comments,” a weekly news column
  7. Speech material
  8. 1938-1940, Columns of David Lawrence

KSR 09-15-1999

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

Marker Monday: DeWitty – An African American Settlement in the Sandhills

Marker Monday: DeWitty – An African American Settlement in the Sandhills

How Eliza Grayson escaped Nebraska slavery

How Eliza Grayson escaped Nebraska slavery

Marker Monday: World War II Hero Charles Jackson French

Marker Monday: World War II Hero Charles Jackson French

About NSHS

The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed NSHS from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Director Daryl Bohac. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for NSHS.

Explore Nebraska

Discover the real places and people of our past at these NSHS sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of NSHS members.

NSHS Education

Learn more about the educational programs provided at our museums, sites, and online.

Education Digital Learning Resources

Find games, lists, and more to enhance your history education curriculum.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast!

Nebraska Collections

NSHS's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

NSHS's Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

NSHS Services

Digital Resources

Find all of our digital resources, files, videos, and more, all in one easy-to-search page!

Support The Historical Society

Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to the Nebraska State Historical Society help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of NSHS.

Volunteers are the heroes of NSHS. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.