The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-04-18
PETER COOPER.
A Sketch of the Venerable phIlanthropist.

Peter Cooper; of New York, now in his
83th year, is one of the best known per
sons in America, and. one, too, who de-
serves to stand in the front rank of men
the world over as noble specimen OF
the human race. Even at hi, advanced
age, he, like Moses, preserves, in. re,
markable degree, all of his faculties, and
it is to his everlasting glory that the gifts
God bestowed upon him have been zeal
ously and continuously employed for
the practical benefit of mankind, and
especially for those of his fellow men
who are condemned to hard and bitter
struggles with adverse fortune. he is
Lot only the oldest citizen of New York,
but, we may say, its worthiest. Those
who are we'll acquainted with his history
state that he can remember the first
steamboat, and, it may be added, that
lie built the first locomotive engine ever
constructed in this country. He can
remember the funeral procession which
honored the memory of Washington, of
which Hamilton was marshal. The
death of the latter is also one of that
great array of historic facts which dwell
in the long range of his experience. He
bore a part in the celebration of the
Erie Canal, as we'll as that of the ATTAIN
tic telegraph, and has thus kept abreast
with the improvements of the age. az.
The lack of early advantages gave
Cooper a deep sympathy will all who
suffered similar privations. His school
attendance was limited to half of each
day for a year, but he has, by careful
reading, become man of extensive in
formation. Mr.. Cooper's life is one of
peculiar .vicissitude. His father was q
halter, and, having failed at the trade,
thought to do better by his son by bind
ing him out to a coach maker. Peter,
when through apprenticeship, started ia
shop, but failed, and then tried cabinet
making, hut with no better success. His
next effort was retail grocery, which
also proved failure. These calarnities
followed him till his 10th year, and,
seemed rs though he really was born for
ill luck. He had noticed, however, the
inferior quality of the glue which was
in use among the cabinet makers, and
he determined, as last resort, to try bis
hand in the manufacture of better ar.
ticle. A barrow full of cowhides and
a kettle were his stock in trade. Thus
he began business which proved aper.
manent success, and, to this, was added
the ircn trade, and the result is that
Peter Cooper is to-day estimated at s1O,-
100000. -.
It will be seen that Mr.. Cooper had
more than his share of misfortune, or
what seemed to be so, up to middle life /;
but he possessed an undaunted spirit
and healthy mind and body. Perse-
verance conquered at last and persistent
labor met with an appropriate reward.
When money came rapidly to Mr.. Coop
or he did not, as is only too frequently
the case, become hard-hearted and mi
serly. On the contrary, prosperity was
sunshine to him and he ardently desired
that his fellow creatures should share in
his good fortune. For many years: his
charities have been frequent and nunii-
cent. He has not attempted to be showy
and demagogical in the distribution of
his means, but practical, humane and
comprehensive. The world is much the
better because of Peter Cooper, and,
dying, he will leave to his children q
name and fame infinitely more valuable
than the millions of money with the
possession of which he is accredited.
We are informed that this venerable
philanthropist is now on his way to the
South, in order to personally inspect q
recent purchase in the Palmetto State,
which be proposes 10 endow for the ben.
eft of South Carolinians. We would
suggest to our merchants, city fathers
and citizens generally, that some organ
lied effort be made on their part to re-
quest Mr.. Cooper to honor Augusta with
bis presence. He is a guest of whom we
| could be proud, and he is just the kind
of man we would like to show our re-
| markable advantages. Mr.. Cooper is
every way worthy of this distinction,
and we trust he will be invited here and
made more than welcome.-Augasta
| Chronicle and ConstitutionaRst.