Coplen Selected As County Historian

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Jennifer [email protected]

Dan Coplen is continuing his family's legacy by serving as Kosciusko County Historical Society's new historian.

Coplen, 58, Warsaw, was selected this month by the Indiana Historical Society to serve as Kosciusko County's representative to the state historical society.

"I'm looking forward to assisting people and preserving the county's history. If you don't preserve history, it's lost," Coplen said.

Coplen replaces Ron Sharp, who resigned in April.

Coplen's uncle, Marion Coplen, served as a historian for the Kosciusko County Historical Society in the 1950s and wrote a book highlighting Kosciusko County's history.

His father, Adrian Coplen, and mother, Mary K. Coplen, served as Kosciusko County museum tour guides.

Coplen has served on the Historical Society board of directors since 2000. His sister, Sally Hogan, also serves on the society's board.

Coplen describes himself as a history buff.

"I like to know how things were, how we got here and how pioneers lived." Coplen said.

"As a kid, I remember growing up and learning about Indians and the Civil War and I have continued to love learning about history," Coplen said.

Coplen graduated from Warsaw High School in 1967 and graduated from Indiana University in 1971 with a degree in economics.

He held positions as a reporter and associate editor during the 19 years he was employed at the Huntington Herald Press, retiring in 1992.

Coplen wrote three books published in 1995, 1997 and 2000 on Kosciusko County history.

He currently serves as editor of The Thaddeus, the historical society's quarterly magazine.

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Dan Coplen is continuing his family's legacy by serving as Kosciusko County Historical Society's new historian.

Coplen, 58, Warsaw, was selected this month by the Indiana Historical Society to serve as Kosciusko County's representative to the state historical society.

"I'm looking forward to assisting people and preserving the county's history. If you don't preserve history, it's lost," Coplen said.

Coplen replaces Ron Sharp, who resigned in April.

Coplen's uncle, Marion Coplen, served as a historian for the Kosciusko County Historical Society in the 1950s and wrote a book highlighting Kosciusko County's history.

His father, Adrian Coplen, and mother, Mary K. Coplen, served as Kosciusko County museum tour guides.

Coplen has served on the Historical Society board of directors since 2000. His sister, Sally Hogan, also serves on the society's board.

Coplen describes himself as a history buff.

"I like to know how things were, how we got here and how pioneers lived." Coplen said.

"As a kid, I remember growing up and learning about Indians and the Civil War and I have continued to love learning about history," Coplen said.

Coplen graduated from Warsaw High School in 1967 and graduated from Indiana University in 1971 with a degree in economics.

He held positions as a reporter and associate editor during the 19 years he was employed at the Huntington Herald Press, retiring in 1992.

Coplen wrote three books published in 1995, 1997 and 2000 on Kosciusko County history.

He currently serves as editor of The Thaddeus, the historical society's quarterly magazine.

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