Kansas History and Heritage Project-Anderson County Biographies

Anderson County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1894


WILLIAM H. COOPER, an enterprising agriculturist of Reeder Township, has been a resident of Anderson County for a period of about thirty-five years, during which time he has taken a leading part in furthering the welfare of this region. His well improved farm is situated on section 27, where he is engaged in general farming.

The birth of Mr. Cooper occurred in Berkshire County, Mass., October 24, 1838. He is the son of Austin O. and Abbie (Churchill) Cooper. The former was a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Massachusetts. After their marriage they continued to reside in Berkshire County until 1849, when they removed with their family to Hillsdale County, Mich. After making the it home there for ten years they emigrated to Kansas, finally making a settlement in Reeder Township, Anderson County. On this farm they passed their remaining years, the father dying February 6, 1885, and his wife some years previously, May 10, 1874. They were worthy citizens, highly respected in this community.

The early boyhood of William H. Cooper was passed in his native county. When he was twelve years old he went with his parents to Hillsdale County, Mich., and during the ten years of his residence there obtained a good education in the common schools. In the spring of 1859 he came to Anderson County, and has since made his home here with the exception of three years when he was in California. Prior to leaving Michigan he had learned the carpenter's trade, and this line of business he followed both in Kansas and California. After his return from the west he engaged in farming, and has engaged in agricultural pursuits up to the present time.

In Reeder Township, on the 15th of May, 1862, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cooper and Miss Margaret Davis. Mrs. Cooper was born near Montrose, Iowa. Three children were born of this union: Edna D., Helen and Everett. Helen was attending school in Garnett, this state, in the fall of 1890, when she was called to her final home, being then nearly fifteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are highly esteemed members of the Presbyterian Church, to which their daughter also belongs.

Our subject owns and operates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which is exceedingly fertile land and under good cultivation. He has erected a good set of farm buildings and has a substantial residence, which is the abode of hospitality and good cheer. He is numbered among the leading agriculturists of this locality, and his farm is a model of thrift and enterprise. His many friends and neighbors have often elected him to fill local offices of responsibility and trust, and he has justified their choice by the able manner in which he has discharged the duties pertaining to each office. In the early part of the '60s he was given the position of Postmaster of Central City, and continued as such for several years. Personally, he is a man of high character and integrity, and has won the good will and friendship of all who know him.



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