Santa Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM G. COOPER
A man of great energy, intensity of purpose and strong convictions, William G. Cooper, of San Jose, has taken an active interest in his country's welfare since reaching man's estate, and during the Civil war took an active part in many engagements of importance, performing his military duties with efficiency and marked personal bravery. A native of Illinois, he was born February 20, 1842, in Knox county, a son of Samuel Cooper.
Born and reared in old Virginia, Samuel Cooper subsequently learned the tailor's trade in Wheeling, W.Va., and for many years was engaged in business as a merchant tailor and clothing dealer, in Knox county, Ill. Removing to Kansas in 1857, he settled near Louisville, Pottawatomie county, where he purchased land on the Rock creek bottoms and engaged in farming and stock-raising, carrying on a substantial business until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. He was a Methodist in religion, a Democrat in politics, and always a stanch Union man. His first marriage united him with Deborah King, who was born in Indiana, and who died in Knox county, Ill., in 1852. Of this union eight children were born, namely: George, who died in Wamego, Kans., where he was engaged in farming; Mrs. Catherine Pettinger, who died in Kansas; Mrs. Martha Spaulding, who died in Galesburg, Ill.; William G.; J. Henry, of Westmoreland, Kans., ex-county recorder, and now serving as sheriff of Pottawatomie county; Mrs. Nancy S. Clary, of Wamego, Kans.; Charles, a farmer and stock-raiser in the Indian Territory; and Thomas who died at the age of twenty-five years. Of the father's second marriage one child was born, Mrs. Emma Bennett of Wamego, Kans.
Removing with the family to Pottawatomie county, Kans., in 1857, William G. Cooper assisted in the pioneer labor of improving a homestead, remaining with his father until after the breaking out of the Civil war. Filled with patriotic enthusiasm and zeal, he was one of the first in his neighborhood to offer his services in his country's defense. Enlisting February 15, 1862, in Company K, Fifth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, he was mustered in at Fort Riley, and subsequently took an active part in many battles, notably at Helena, Little Rock, Pine Bluff and at Marks' Hill. February 15, 1865, at the expiration of his term of enlistment, he was mustered out of service at Devall, Ark., as corporal of his company.
Returning home, Mr. Cooper took up a homestead claim adjoining his father's estate, and having purchased adjoining land, cleared and improved a farm of two hundred and forty acres. In 1880, having suffered from the grasshopper plague for three or four seasons, Mr. Cooper sold his farm and came to the Pacific coast. Locating in Umatilla county, Ore., he was superintendent of the county poor farm for three years, and was afterwards employed in farming and stock-raising in that vicinity for two years. In 1885, he removed to Medford, Ore., where he was at first a farmer, but was afterwards engaged in business as a harness manufacturer and dealer, owning a large two-story brick building, which he built himself, and which, on being burned out, he rebuilt. Disposing of his interests in Medford in 1892, Mr. Cooper came to San Jose, where he has since resided. For three years he was in the employ of the city, for one year being connected with the fire department. In November, 1899, Mr. Cooper was appointed janitor of the San Jose high school building, and has since served with commendable fidelity and ability in this position, his residence being at No. 720 South Seventh street.
In Pottawatamie county, Kans., Mr. Cooper married Marietta Jenkins, daughter of Charles Jenkins, a pioneer settler of Kansas, familiarly known among his neighbors as “Uncle Charles Jenkins.” She was an only daughter, but had several brothers, a number of whom served in the Civil war. Of the nine children born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, seven are living, namely: Samuel Theodore, of Oakland, Cal.; Mrs. Minnie Florence Deas, of San Francisco; Mrs. Carrie Elizabeth Daugherty, of Portland, Ore.; Mrs. Emma Kellogg, of Portland, Ore.; George Edward, of Seattle, Wash.; Neva, living at home; and Mrs. Sadie Taggart, of Santa Clara county. In his religious beliefs Mr. Cooper is a consistent Methodist, and in his political views he is a steadfast Republican. He is a prominent member of the John A. Dix Post No. 42, G. A. R., of which he is a past vice-commander.
Transcribed
4-10-16 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source:
History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 1130-1131. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Marilyn R.
Pankey.