Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Hiram Cooper
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
HIRAM COOPER. There has never been a
period in the history of this country when
so great an effort has been made to perpetuate
the names and deeds of those men who
have assisted in its growth and development. The
history of Kansas is one teeming with events of
interest and those who first ventured upon the
frontier, braving hardships, toils and dangers, will
long be held in grateful remembrance. Among
them the name of Hiram Cooper can scarcely be
effaced from the annals of Clay Township, to which
be came before the Indians had left the country
and when they were savage and troublesome. He
bore his share of the hardships and privations incident
to pioneer life and exhibited that true courage
and manliness which were peculiar to the men
who settled here at that time. To them is Clay
County indebted for her present position in this
now great and prosperus common
wealth.
Hiram Cooper was born in Alleghany County, N.
Y., May 16.,1823, and departed this life at his home
in Sherman Township, Nov. 28, 1884. His parents
were natives of Maryland and New York, and both
went to Michigan with their respective families
when young in years, where they grew to maturity
and were married. The mother died in Michigan;
the father also died in that State. The paternal
grandparents were Price and Lydia (Chapman)
Cooper, natives of New York State. In tracing
the family back through several generations, it is
found that they came originally from France and
located in New York State, whence their descendants
scattered to different parts of the Union.
The early years of Hiram Cooper were spent under
the parental roof, where he was trained to habits
of thrift and industry and those sentiments of
honor which followed him all through life. He
acquired a limited education in the common school
and upon approaching manhood, emigrated to the
young State of Michigan, and was there married in
Berrien County, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of
Benjamin Lakin, Aug. 20, 1843. In the spring
of 1864 they came to Clay County, Kan., and
Mr. Cooper homesteaded eighty acres of the
present farm and later purchased another eighty
acres, occupying the northeast quarter of section
20. Their first house, built in March, 1865, was a
log cabin covered with dirt and in that they lived
for about seven years, at the expiration of which
time the present commodious dwelling was erected.
The first year of coming to this section they were
not able to settle upon their land on account of the
Indians, who were not only mischievous, but dangerous.
In September of the year above mentioned,
the settlers were driven to Clay Center for safety
and did not dare to return until the following
spring.
In the summer of 1865 Mrs. Cooper repaired
to Manhattan and purchased material for a flag
and the neighboring ladies got together and assisted
in making the first banner of stars and
stripes that floated over the settlers of Sherman
Township, and which was hoisted on the morning
of July 4. The first regular celebration held in
this vicinity was in 1866. In the meantime Mr.
Cooper was carrying on the improvement and cultivation
of the new farm and added to his possessions
until he acquired 320 acres of land, the most of
which he brought to a productive condition. As
the community increased in numbers, he was looked
upon as one of its most valued members and was
one always interested in its growth and prosperity.
In his family he was kind and indulgent and among
his neighbors, the generous and hospitable friend
from whose door no needy individual was ever
turned empty away. He identified himself with
the Methodist Episcopal Church at an early date
and died triumphantly in the faith.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper there have been born
the following children, five of whom were living at
the time of their father's death, viz: Lydia E., the
wife of J. J. Law. who is represented elsewhere in
this volume; Perry H., Alfred F., John W. and
Theodore M. The deceased are Emma, Mary and
Alvira. Mrs. Cooper since the death of her husband
has managed the estate in an admirable manner,
assisted by her children, and is a lady highly
respected wherever known. Her father, Benjamin
Lakin, was born in Pennsylvania and spent his last
days in Clay County, Kan. Her mother, died in
Michigan, she was a native of Kentucky. Her paternal
grandfather, Joseph Lakin, Sr., died in Rush
County, Ind. Mrs. Cooper, like her husband, bore
with fortitude and patience the vicissitudes of life
on the frontier, looking well to the ways of her
household and being wholly devoted to the best
interests of those dear to her. As a pioneer wife
and mother, she is amply worthy of recognition
among those whose names will be handed in honor
down to posterity.