The Cooper Families of Knox County, Ohio

The history of a country is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by that of its representative citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect to the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a country's prosperity and pride; and it is in their character, as exemplified in probity and benevolence, kindly virtues and integrity in the affairs of life, are ever affording worthy examples for emulation and valuable lessons of incentive.

To a student of biography there is nothing more interesting than to examine the life history of a self-made man to detect the elements of character which have enabled him to pass on the highway of life many of the companions of his youth who at the outset of their careers were more advantageously equipped or endowed. The subject of this review through his own exertions attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative men of his state, and with signal consistency it may be said that he was the architect of his own fortunes, having builded wisely and well.

Charles Cooper, who during his life time as a resident of Mount Vernon and was the founder of the C. & G. Cooper Engine Works, was born in Clinton township, Knox county, Ohio, on the 2d of January, isii. He was a son of Cary and Elizabeth (Ruple) Cooper. The father, born in Morris county. New Jersey, on the 29th of January, 1 78 1, came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1806, and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1831. His wife, also a native of New Jersey, born in March, 1784, passed away in death in this county in 1868, at the age of eighty-four years. Their marriage was celebrated in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and they became the parents of six sons and three daughters. Their son, Charles, was reared to manhood on the home farm, and about 1831 he removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where he was engaged in coal mining on a moderate scale for two and a half years. Business, however, did not prosper to the extent desired by our subject, and one day, in a discouraged condition, he threw himself upon the grass and while engaged in thought observed the smoke issuing from a cupola. of an old-time Zanesville foundry. The thought at once flashed through his mind that he would establish a foundry in !Mount Vernon and.

springing to his feet, resolved to make this inspiration a reality. A rapid and firm decision and instantianeous and effective action were the qualities most uppermost in Mr. Cooper's business character, and these won for him his remarkable success. In 1833 he and his brother, Elias, erected their foundry and began the manufacture of plows, hollow-ware and such castings as were demanded in Mount Vernon and the surrounding country. This enterprise grew rapidly, and Mr. Cooper delighted to relate to his family and intimate friends the circumstances which led to the establishment of this successful concern. On one other occasion was he similarly influenced by some unforseen force. Bowed down and disheartened by business losses during the panic of 1857, while crossing the Mount Vernon square he experienced a renewed of determination and strength in answer to a prayer, and this prepared him lo successfully weather the financial storm which was so keenly felt throughout the country.

In 1840 the firm began the manufacture of threshing machines, this proving a profitable addition to their already extensive business. Elias Cooper died in 1848, and in the following year T. L. Qark purchased a third interest in the plant, business being then conducted under the firm, name of Cooper & Clark until 1850, when John Cooper, a brother of our subject, also purchased a third interest, the firm being then known as Coopers & Clark. In 1853 Mr. Clark retired, the business style then becoming C. & J. Cooper. In January, 1868, F. L. Fairchild purchased an interest and the business was then conducted under the firm name of C. & J. Cooper & Co. In January, 1869, the works of C. & J. Cooper & Co. and Coopers

& Rogers were consolidated and C. G. Cooper, a son of Elias Cooper, and Colonel George Rogers were admitted to the partnership, the business continuing under the firm name of C. & J. Cooper & Co. In November, 1869, John Cooper retired, and the business was thereafter conducted under the firm, name of C. & G. Cooper & Co. In 188 1 Colonel George Rogers retired from the business and D. B. Kirk and C. F. Cooper, a son of Charles Cooper, became interested in the business. Colonel George Rogers' business career was ended in death in 1882.

In 1853 C. & J. Cooper built one of the first locomotives constructed west of the Allegheny Mountains, which was used on the Ohio Central Railroad for many years. They constructed a number of locomotives, but the original plant has been lost in the rapid growth and development of this important concern. The plant now covers an area of several acres. For a number of years the company have confined their efforts to the manufacture of Corliss engines, and in this line they have established a reputation second to none in the United States, their products being shipped to all parts of the world.

In 1895 the business was incorporated under the name and style of The C. & G. Cooper Company, and the following officers elected: Charles Cooper, chairman of the board of directors, which position he held until the time of his death; F. L. Fairchild, president of the company; C. G. Cooper, secretary; D. B. Kirk, treasurer. The same officers have continued up to the present time.

Charles Cooper had a remarkable record, and from the study of his life history one may learn valuable lessons. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources he arose from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence in the business and social world, and the town of Mount Vernon owes much to him on account of his connection with her business interests.

In politics Mr. Cooper was a Whig, with strong anti-slavery sentiments, and he assisted many a slave to continue his march toward freedom, the colored population of Mount Vernon always finding in him a friend. In 1856, on the formation of the Republican party, he joined its ranks, and in 1868 he was the Republican candidate for congress. He was also a friend to the poor and needy, but his gifts were without ostentation. Oberlin, Kenyon and other educational institutions were the recipients of his generous gifts, and he was always greatly interested in local charities, the Children's Home having been an object of special interest to him and of which he was the founder and constant benefactor. He was for several years and up to the time of his death the president of the Knox National Bank, of Mount Vernon, president of the Mount Vernon Gas Company, and was also president of the board of trustees of Mound View cemetery. The public library also received his financial support. In his religious views he was a worthy and zealous member of the Congregational church, the cause of Christianity ever finding in him a warm friend and active worker.

On the 23d of June, 1833, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Almeda, a daughter of John Murphy, but after a few years of happy married life the wife was called to the home beyond, leaving one child, who is now the wife of A. F. Seeberger, of Chicago, Illinois. On the loth of March, 184G, Mr. Cooper was a second time married. Miss Isabel Weaver becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Rogers) Weaver, of Mount Vernon, but formerly of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Unto this union were born the following children: Alice, widow of the late Dr. J. W. Stamp, of Mount Vernon, and they had two children, Charles Marcus and Jane; Mae, who married Desault B. Kirk, of Mount Vernon, whose history also appears in this work, and her death occurred on the 30th of March, 1887; Adel, who married X. L. Otis, a son of Judge L. B. Otis, of Chicago, but formerly of Fremont, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Louise; Cora, who married General C. C. Howell, of Knoxville, Tennessee, but formerly of Colorado, and they have two children, Helen C. and Cornelia C. Charles F., the only son of the family, was born in Mount Vernon, in 1858, and his death occurred on the ist of September, 1894, at the age of thirty-six years. He received his education in Oberlin College, and after completing his studies he became a. member of the C. & G. Cooper Company. Outside of his business interests his chief pleasure was found in travel and study, and he thus became a well informed man. His friends were many and on the list were numbered many of the representative men of the locality. His death was the cause of widespread regret, while the community mourned the loss of one of its trust and best citizens. He married Miss Amelia Sturges, of Mount Vernon, a daughter of F. D. Sturges, president of the First National Bank, of this city. Their union was blessed with the following children: Charles, who was named in honor of his father and grandfather; Isabel, Ethel, James Sturges and Eunice.

Charles Cooper's life's labors were ended in death on the 7th of February, 1901, passing away at his home on West Sugar street, having reached the ninety-first milestone on the journey of life. His path was ever upward both in a spiritual and temporal sense. As this review shows he was distinctively a self-made man: one of nature's noblemen whom no force of circumstances could prostrate or draw into obscurity. He indeed deserves mention among Ohio's representative citizens, and should find a place in the history of the men of business and enterprise whose force of character, sterling integrity, control of circumstances and whose marked success in establishing great industries have contributed in such an eminent degree to the solidity and progress of the entire country. His life was many, his actions sincere, his manner unaffected and his example is well worthy of emulation. On the occasion of Mr. Cooper's death one of the Mount Vernon papers truthfully said of him: "Death ends the labors of man. The passing of Mr. Cooper from the scenes of his earthly activities and usefulness is sincerely mourned by all who have had the honor of a personal acquaintance with Mount Vernon's 'grand old man,' or who have appreciated the extent and unostentatiousness of his benefactions to the community and to individuals. Nor will the magnificent engine works, which he developed through sixty-seven years from an insignificant shop be his most enduring monument, but in each heart that has felt his benevolent influence will be reared a cenotaph that shall endure forever. His career was intensely human, and an the book of life his name is enrolled as one who loved his fellow men. May he rest in peace."

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

It is both gratifying and profitable to enter record concerning such a man as he whose name appears at the head of this life record, and in the following outline sufficient will be said to indicate the forceful individuality, initiative power and sterling character which have had such a decided influence in making their possessor a leader in enterprises requiring the highest order of business talent, and to gain for him wide publicity among those who shape and direct policies of more than ordinary consequence in Knox county and who ranks among the most representative of her citizens.

John Cooper, well known real estate and business man of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, was born three miles northwest of this city, on May 30, 1824, and his long, useful and industrious life has been spent in this vicinity, whose interests he has ever had at heart and sought to promote, and which he has witnessed develop from the pioneer stage to one of the foremost sections of the great

Buckeye state. His youth was spent on the farm of his parents, Cary and Elizabeth (Ruple) Cooper, sterling early settlers of this vicinity, they having come from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled in the woods in Morris township, Knox county, in 1811. There they erected a rude log cabin, began clearing a farm, and, by hard work and economy, became very comfortably established in due course of time. This country was then wild and sparsely settled, still being the above of Indians and many varieties of wild game. These parents had a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely: James, born February 26, 1804, died in 1834; Phoebe, born February 1, 1806, died April 15, 1854; Ann, born July 13, 1808, died September 14. 1832; Charles, born February 2, 1811, died February 7, 1901; Elias, born February 26, 1813, died August 16, 1850; Fewis, born May 20, 1818, died August 18, 1845; John, of this review; Nancy, born August 1, 1827, died April 17, 1911, the immediate subject of this sketch being the only surviving member of the family. The father of these children was born on July 29, 1781, and died April 20, 1831; his wife was born March 11, 1784, and died on December 25, 1868; both are buried in the Mt. Vernon cemetery. They were devout Presbyterians and they reared their children in that faith.

John Cooper, of this review, had little opportunity to obtain an education, but got what he could in the log cabin schools of his district during the winter months, until he was fourteen years of age, when he was bound to a coppersmith and as an apprentice he thus mastered the trade in three years, buying his unexpired term when he was seventeen years of age and he engaged in business for himself on the west side of the public square in Mt. Vernon. Two years later he engaged in the stove and sheet iron business in what was known as the old market house on the square. He was married on March 17, 1844, to Eliza Murphy, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hanna) Murphy, an early pioneer family who came from Washington county, Pennsylvania. This union resulted in the birth of three children: John E., deceased; Hugh N., deceased; and Ella, who resides with her father. The wife and mother passed away on January 26, 1883.

Mr. Cooper continued in business in the old market house, which he had purchased, for several years. In 1848 he erected a building on the east side of the square where the Banner newspaper is now located, and there he continued the stove and tin business. In 1854 he engaged in the foundry business with his brother Charles and he began the manufacture of stoves, which grew to include the manufacture of plows, farm machinery, portable engines, grist mill machinery, this really being Mt. Vernon’s first manufacturing industry and it did much to advertise the town abroad, the plant grow-

6i8 ing to large proportions and employing many men, the products finding a wide and ready market. The partnership with his brother Charles continued until 1869, when John Cooper withdrew and purchased the General C. P. Buckingham Foundry at the foot of Main street, and he continued that business along the same lines as when with his brother, enjoying a very liberal patronage. Mr. Cooper managed the sales department and spent considerable time on the road, selling goods direct to the purchaser, and he built up a very satisfactory business, which was continued by him until 1893, when the Buckingham plant was destroyed by fire, all except the foundry. A portion of the plant was rebuilt and business continued until 1895, when Mr. Cooper sold his interest, since which time he has been engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business and has built up a very satisfactory patronage. He maintains his office in his own building, the substantial Cooper block, on the east side of the square.

In politics Mr. Cooper was originally an abolitionist and from the formation of the Republican party he has been a loyal supporter of the same, but lias never been an office seeker. He was a warm personal friend of President Lincoln, and it is a well known fact of inside history that Mr. Lincoln named May 30, Mr. Cooper's birthday, as Decoration day. He was also a friend of Hayes, Garfield, McKinley and many other prominent men of the party. He was long an intimate friend of John Sherman. During the latter half of his life he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is the oldest member and the oldest past grand master of the same in Knox county. Religiously he is a member of the Congregational church, in fact is the oldest member of the local church; he has long been active in church work. He has always been a busy man of affairs and yet in his old age he maintains a keen interest in and a close touch with all business and public matters. He has been a great influence for progress and general good in the community where he has for so many years been a prominent factor and where he is so universally esteemed.

In his active days as a manufacturer, Mr. Cooper had considerable of a national reputation and did a great deal of work for the United States government, having put in, among other things, the first steel and glass patent model cases in the patent office building at Washington. The cast iron lighthouse at Hell Gate was built by him, as were many other lighthouses in the country. The government also bought of him a number of saw mill outfits for use in clearing their Indian reservations.

Mr. Cooper was instrumental in securing the State Sanatorium for Tuberculosis just outside of Mt. Vernon, as the site he labored for so successfully was finally selected as being the finest in the state.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

COL. WILLIAM C. COOPER.

William C. Cooper, among the eminent lawyers, brave soldiers and congressmen from Ohio, was one of Knox county's honored sons. He came of good old American-born ancestors on his father’s side and of sturdy Scotch-Irish on the material side. He was the son of Thompson Cooper and the grandson of Daniel Cooper, both of whom were natives of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and who settled in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1806. Daniel Cooper entered the army in the war of 1812, holding the rank of captain. Thompson Cooper, the subject’s father, came here when a mere boy, hence was reared among the scenes of true pioneer life in the wilds of this county. He served during his useful life as a justice of the peace for thirty and more years and was mayor of Mt. Vernon eight years.

Col. William C. Cooper, of whom this more especially treats, received a public school education and attended the Mt. Vernon Academy. It was early in life that lie had an ambition to become a lawyer and commenced the study of law with Joseph W. Vance and James Smith, Jr. He was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-two years and soon formed a law partnership with his preceptor, Mr. Vance, this relation continuing until the death of Mr. Vance, who was killed in battle during the Civil war. The law firm closed its office and both entered the Union army, Mr. Vance as colonel and in command of his regiment when killed. Mr. Cooper was among the first to enlist in defense of his country’s flag, becoming a first lieutenant in Company B, Fourth Ohio Infantry. He re-enlisted in 1864 and returned as colonel of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, with which he participated in the great Petersburg campaign.

At the conclusion of his second term Mr. Cooper returned home and resumed the practice of law. He became a member of the firm of Cooper, Porter & Mitchell. His diligence and faithfulness toward his clients was noted as exceptional. He was in every way a thorough lawyer — an honor to the bar of Ohio and Knox county.

Politically, Colonel Cooper was a Republican; he seldom asked for an office, but was ever ready to aid the party of his choice and his council was frequently sought by those high up in office. Prior to the Civil war he had held the office of prosecuting attorney for four years. In 1860 he was elected mayor of Mt. Vernon, serving two consecutive terms. In 1871 he was chosen to represent his district in the Legislature and at the close of his term declined the position again. He was six years president of the board of education at Mt. Vernon and five years advocate-general of the state of Ohio. These are the only civil offices held by him until he was elected to the forty-ninth Congress in 1884. He was elected again in 1886 and 1888. As a debater on the floor and as a wise counselor in the various committee rooms, he was exceptionally strong and popular, being not only able, but very useful, just at that time in the halls of Congress. During his first term the bill providing for the order of succession in the office of President was passed and he was a member of the committee in charge of the bill. His argument along this line was masterly and logical. He was also influential on the committees on elections, on territories, on banking and on currency. He managed several campaigns as chairman of the Republican state central committee and was the representative of the Republican party in Ohio in the national committee from 1876 to 1884, during the period of the greatest contention in the party, and was a delegate to the national conventions in 1872 and 1880.

In January, 1864, Colonel Cooper was married to Eliza Russell, daughter of pioneer Dr. John W. Russell, a physician of more than ordinary skill, who for sixty years practiced medicine in Mt. Vernon. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper.

Colonel Cooper’s army relations naturally brought him in close touch with the Grand Army of the Republic after the end of the civil strife and he twice represented his state in the national encampment of this soldier fraternity. His citizenship was ever characterized by unswerving loyalty to the best interests of city, county, state and nation, and by mastery of every subject upon which his actions could have director indirect bearing; socially, he was most popular and he knew how to win and hold friendship. Professionally, he was most talented and prominent, his comprehensive understanding of the principles of jurisprudence, combined with his logic and power of argument, rendering him one of the most able members of the Ohio bar. Such is the record of one who for more than seventy years was an honored citizen of Mt. Vernon.

On August 29, 1902, as the autumn of that year was just being ushered in, his soul took its flight from earth and his remains are buried in Mound View cemetery, Mt. Vernon, which city had always been his home. His family monument marks the resting place of a man who had always performed every known duty to his fellow man, and been loyal to the country in which he lived and labored so many years.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.