Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN F. COOPER
Romance often found its way into the
privations and perils experienced by the pioneers of the west and it was not
lacking from life's activities with Mr. Cooper as boy, youth and man, nor has
its pleasant glow wholly faded from the gold-tinted horizon of his memories as,
retired from the strenuous tasks of former years, he finds leisure to reflect
upon the past and enjoy its many interesting recollections. From the
far-distant past there came to him memories of the family home at Lexington,
Ky., where the father, Archibald H. Cooper, M. D., engaged in the practice of
medicine for a considerable period and where his own birth had occurred
December 17, 1840. Genealogical records indicate that the family had been
established in America during the colonial era and descended from English
ancestors, but the American representatives fought on the side of the colonies
during the Revolution. Their devotion to the country has been imitated by
every generation of descendants and patriotism is a family
characteristic.
The Kentucky doctor had established a home of his own during early
manhood and had chosen as his wife Miss Elizabeth A. McIntosh, a native of Kentucky, descended from Scotch and English progenitors and like
himself a representative of a Revolutionary family. Her death occurred in
1854, two years after her arrival in California. One of her sons had died of cholera while they were
crossing the plains and that boy, Louis, lies in an unknown grave.
Another son, David, a soldier in the civil War and in the Indian struggle along
the western coast, died in Sacramento in 1901 and was buried with grand Army honors. A
daughter, Laura, died in 1907 and her husband, George F. Nourse, passed away the following year. Shortly after
the discovery of gold in California the children of this family had seen their father and
uncle depart for the west and later received word that they had started stores
at Mud Springs and Diamond Springs, to both of which places they had given
their names.
Deciding that he would remain in the
west the doctor sent his brother-in-law, John McIntosh, back to Kentucky to bring the balance of the family across the
plains. A large company of emigrants was gathered together. Twenty
-seven wagons were required for the people and supplies. The boy of
twelve years, John F. Cooper, rode the entire distance on a little white mule
and he vividly recalls the hardships of the journey, the dangers from cholera,
the perils from Indians and Mormon outbreaks and the countless vicissitudes
marking such an expedition. The party was unusually fortunate and after a
quick trip of three and one-half months arrived safely in California August 27, 1852.
The majority of the relatives took up residence in Colusa county,
but John F. Cooper's family made their headquarters at Sacramento. His second memorable experience was while serving
as cabin-boy on board the ship, Witchcraft, from San Francisco to New
York by way of the
Horn. At New York he shipped for return passage on the clipper
Swordfish. Upon his return to the west he collected fares on the steamer
Clinton, plying between Oakland and San
Francisco.
While at Stockton in 1854 the young lad was fortunate in winning the
friendship of Professor W. L. Wright, head of the department of mathematics in Yale College. The older man took an interest in the self-reliant
youth and aided him in his efforts to secure an education. Nor was this
the extent of his benefactions. He had previously bought the Rough and Ready Island ranch and at his death he willed one-half of the estate to
young Cooper, who thus found it possible to attend the Benicia high school for three years and later completed his
education in the Sacramento schools. Meanwhile he learned the trade of a printer
and worked in every department of the business with the Sacramento Bee and Republican. A life-long
fondness cherished for music found expression when he took up its study under
professors Winter and Mansfeldt.
Under their superior instruction he became proficient in both vocal and
instrumental music. The organization of the Philharmonic Society was
largely the result of his energetic efforts and for many years he was honored
with its presidency. Besides having charge of music in Sacramento public schools, he was organist of the Methodist Episcopal
Church for eight years, held a similar position in the Presbyterian Church for
twelve years and at the Jewish Synagogue for seven years. One of the
results of his efforts was the formation of the Sacramento Chorus of one
hundred and fifty voices which were added to the San Francisco Chorus of
fifteen hundred voices for the Camilo Urso Concert under the leadership of Carl Zerahn.
After over thirty-five years as
proprietor of a music store on J street, Sacramento, in 1893 Mr. Cooper sold these interests. As
evidence of his influence in musical circles it may be stated that his
successors incorporated the business under the title of the Cooper Music Co.,
the name being considered one of the valuable assets of the house. Since
he relinquished his association with musical affairs Mr. Cooper has bought and
improved a number of fruit farms, but these he has sold from time to
time. In former years he owned interest in mines in Mexico, California and Nevada. For a time he made his headquarters in San Francisco, where with his brother-in-law, George F. Nourse, he started the Overland Freight & Transfer Co.
in 1873. The company collected freight for the railroads and shipped to Australia, China, Japan and other foreign points. Even up to the present the
business is still flourishing, but Mr. Cooper sold his interest and retired to Sacramento because the San Francisco climate proved unpleasant to him. Through his
personal efforts the Capital Sacramento Transfer, Van and Storage Co. was
incorporated in 1899 and in 1902 he purchased his partners interest,
thereupon becoming sole proprietor of the concern while he still managed the
business he has practically retired from fraternal actions that once engrossed
much of his time, for in former years he was an active member of the Knights of
Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men, Foresters of
America, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and other organizations.
The marriage of Mr. Cooper and Miss
Joanna Powelson, a native of Philadelphia,
Pa., was solemnized in Sacramento October 19, 1869.
Mrs. Cooper is the daughter of a California pioneer who died while still in young manhood.
Afterward her mother became the wife of Capt. Cunningham, a Mississippi river captain of the early days, but later until his death a
captain on a Sacramento river
steamboat. When a girl Mrs. Cooper studied music under Mulder Fabri, a world-famous
instructor. No expense was spared in the cultivation of her rich
soprano voice and she became one of the most popular soloists in Sacramento. Her two daughters, Misses Laura and Ruby Cooper,
are also accomplished musicians and prominent in musical, literary, golf,
tennis, and other club affairs of the city.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis, William L., History of Sacramento
County, California, Pages 558-562. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.
© 2005 Sally Kaleta.