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.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure

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