St. Landry democrat., 1883-04-14
PETER COOPER DEAD.
Sketch of His Life.

Sketch of His Life.
NEW YORK, ALrn5.
Peter Cooper died of pneumonia at $50
Yesterday morning, aged 90 years. He had
been ailing sometime with slight cold, and
last Sunday was compelled to remain III bed.
The family physician was summoned, and
at once discovered the patient suffering from
a severe attack of pneumonia. Mr.. Cooper's
advanced years were great drawback toh
recovery.
About two o'clock in the morning, he
called his son, ex-Mayor Cooper, and Mrs.
Abram S. Hewitt, his daughter, and her
family, to his bedside, saying to them that
he knew he had not long to live, and they
must become reconcied to the fact. His
death occurred exactly at three a. m. He
remained conscious up to the time OF his
demise, and made several remarks III re-
gard to family affairs.
Among the many who called to express
sorrow for MI. Cooper's death were Samuel
j. Tilden, Algernon S. Sullivan, General
Alexander S. Webb and Andrew ii. Green.
Information of Mr.. Cooper's demise
quickly spread throughout the city, exciting
feelings of regret, and flags were displayed
at haIf-mast on Cooper Institute the City
Hall, the Post Office building, newspaper
offices and other public and private build
ings.
Forty-three members of the Pennsylvania
Commandery of the military order OF the
Loyal Legion Of the United States, under
command of Major General Hancock, Wis,
tied the New York Commandery at Del
monico's last night. Before the banquet the
committee drafted resolutions of regret for
the death of Peter Cooper.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Peter Cooper was born in the city of New
York, February 10, 1891, when its popu1a-
Lieutenant in the Continental army, and aft,
er the war located in New York City, where
he engaged in the manufacture of hats. He,
naturally enough, learned the trade of his
father, and pursued it with him. The latter
afterwards sold out his business, and remov-
ing to Newburgh, n. Y, erected brewery,
and young Cooper engaged here with his
father in the manufacture of ales, etc.
In his 18th year he entered as an APP
prentice to the coach-making business.
Here he remained until he was of age, and
had thoroughly learned the business. After
arriving at age, and working i'll Hampstead,
Long Island, at the manufacture OF ma
chine for shearing cloth, he saved enough
nlOIlGS OUT I'll Ills Wages W bty biS IISSlit VI
the State of New York for the machine, and.
commenced its manufacture. He suisse
auently engaged in the grocery
business. Afterwards he began the manu-
facture of glue, oil, whiting, prepared chalk
and isinglass, which business he subsequent
Iy removed to Brooklyn where the business.
has been continued uutil the present time,
and is now in successful operation. In 1929
he purchased 5000 acres of land within the
now corporated limits of Baltimore, Mary
| land, paying therefor $l05,000, and on a
| portion of this property erected the Conton
Iron Works. Here he built the first loco
motive ever constructed i'll America. He
| afterwards founded the Trenton Iron Works,
| where the first iron beams, now SO much
used in tire-proof buildings, We're rolled. He
| was one of the earliest and most active pro-
motors of the Atlantic telegraph. About
| 1850 he resolved to devote a considerable
| portion of his ample fortune to public use.-
| For this purpose lie erected the large build,
| ing in New York known as the Cooper
| Union. This will be his most enduring.
| monument, and has been and will continue
/ to be blessing to thousands of both sexes.
/ 1t is designed for t;le working classes. In a
! conversation a short time ago Mr.. Cooper
said that the expressions OF gratitude which
| he was SO often receiving from those who
| had learned some valuable trade, OF been
enabled through the education recei;,ad at
the Union to support themselves and famil-
les, were more gratifying and pleasurable.
/ to him than all his possessions. Mr..
Cooper, in politics, was of late years a
Greenhacker. He was the nominee of that
/ party for the Presidency in 1876, receiving
1 81, TAO votes. He was eminently practical
and successful in all pursuits of life. He
lived to see the full fruition of his philan-
thropic plans, ana his memory will long be
revered by thousands who have benefited by
his noble generosity.