Charles Cooper

As printed in 1902

CHARLES COOPER.

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 Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.