- JOHN H. COOPER, a leading citizen of Clinton Township, residing
on section 15, was born in
- Rockingham, Windham County, Vt., Nov. 22, 1804, and is a
son of John and Diana (HIMES) COOPER, who were descendants of
an old Connecticut family. Their family numbered four children,
namely: Fannie, who became the wife of Hope LATHOP; Caroline
who married Josiah DRURY; John H., of this sketch; and William,
who is a resident of St. Albans, Vt. The death of Mrs. COOPER
occurred in March, 1807, and the husband was again married, his
second union being with Jane MORRISON, by whom he had six children
- Louis, Laura, Nancy, Harvey, Mary and Warren, all of whom lived
to mature years. The death of Mr. COOPER occurred at Alstead,
N.H., at the age of seventy-seven years.
- The days of his boyhood and youth our subject passed in his
native State, receiving a liberal
- education in the public-schools. When twenty-one years of
age, he left the parental roof, going to Vermont, where he worked
upon a farm during the summer, returning home the following autumn,
after which he engaged in teaching school. On the 18th day of
November, 1828, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Dolly
HUSTON, a daughter of Alexander HUSTON, their wedding being celebrated
in Ackworth, N.H. Eight children were born of this union, six
of whom are now living - Flora, widow of Gardner JOHNSON, is
now residing in Turtle Township; John A., who married Laura WALKER,
now makes his home in Jewell Junction; Henry, who enlisted in
the 12th New York Infantry for three month's service and at the
expiration of that time re-enlisted in the 57th New York Regiment,
and was killed at the battle of Antietam; Dolly married Josiah
MAY and resides at Harvard, Ill.; George, who enlisted in the5th
Wisconsin Infantry and served with honor for three years, participating
in many hard fought battles and for the last fourteen months
was on detached service, carrying mail, with headquarters at
Washington, D.C., is at present occupying a position in the Postoffice
department at the Capitol; Nancy is the wife of A. D. PARKER,
a resident of Shopiere; Hirma is living in the town of Clinton,
where he is engaged in farming; and Solon resides on the old
homestead, and his father makes his home with him. Mrs. COOPER,
who was a most excellent lady and highly esteemed, died, Dec.
30, 1854. Mr. COOPER afterward married Sarah BLOOD, whose death
occurred in Shopiere in April, 1865, and for his third wife he
wedded Loraine BARD, who departed this life in Shopiere in 1874.
His present wife, was in her maidenhood, Miss Mary BARTON.
- For almost thirty-five years Mr. COOPER has been a resident
of Rock County. In the spring of
- 1845, he first came to the West, locating on Heart Prairie,
Walworth County, where he made his home for ten years, when he
removed to Clinton Corner, residing on a farm where Mr. VANDERLYN
made his home. He made that removal for the purpose of affording
better educational advantages for his children. Three years subsequent
to that time, in the spring of 1858, he went to Shopiere, where
he engaged in the real estate business, continuing in that line
with good success until 1880, when he again became a resident
of Clinton Township, where he still makes his home. He is a man
of more than ordinary ability, is one of the strictest integrity
and possesses a reputation for fair dealing. He is genial and
accommodating and holds an enviable place in the regard of his
many friends. In early life, Mr. COOPER was a Whig, but when
Gen. Jackson was a candidate for Presidency supported the Democratic
party. At the organization of the Free-Soil party, he was among
the first to espouse that cause, and being in favor of abolition,
when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension
of slavery, he joined the ranks of that great organization. He
has been honored by his fellow-citizens with several official
positions of trust, and while residing in Walworth County was
elected Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, has served as
Notary Public of Rock County, and when there were but seven Supervisors
in the entire county, he was elected a member of that Board for
two years. He is a representative and influential citizen and
has been a liberal supporter of all public enterprises.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 465-466.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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