The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-04-12
DEATH OF PETER COOPER.
Sketch of His Life.

NEW YORK, April D.
Peter Cooper died of pneumonia at $3.50
yesterday morning, aged 90 years. He had
been ailing sometime with slight cold, and
last Sunday was compelled to remain in bed.
The family physician was summoned, and
at once discovered the patient suffering from
q severe attack of pneumonia. Mr.. Cooper's
advanced years were great drawback to his
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 reconciled 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 in re-
gard to family affairs.
Among the many who called to express
sorrow for Mr.. Cooper's death were Samuel
]. Tilden, Algernon S. Sullivan, General
Alexander S. Webb and Andrew H. Green.
Information of Mr.. Cooper's demise
quickly spread throughout the city, exciting
feelings of regret, and flags were displayed
| at half-mast on Cooper Institute the City
Hall, the Post Office building, nev ppaper
offices and other public and private build
ings.
Forty three members of the Penns, fania
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 ut Del
monico's last night. Before the banquet the
committee drafted resolutions of regret fol-
the death of Peter Cooper.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Peter Cooper was born in the cil, of New
York, February 10, 1871, when It's popula-
ton was only $4,000. His father was a
Lieutenant in the Continental army, and aft
er the war located in New York City, where
he engaged in nthemanufacture 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 a brewery,
| and young Cooper engaged here with his
father in the manufacture of ales, etc.
In his 18th year he entered as an ap-
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 in Hampstead,
Long Island, at the manufacture of ma
chine for shearing cloth, he saved enough
money out of his wages to buy the right of
the State of New York for the machine, and
commenced its manufacture. He subse-
quently engaged in the grocery
business. Afterwards he began the manu-
facture of glue, oil, whiting, prepared chalk
and isinglass, which business he subsequent
ly removed to Brooklyn where the business
has been continued until the present time,
and is now in successful operation. In 1928
he purchased 5000 acres of land within the
| now corporated limits of Baltimore, Mary
land, paying therefor S105,000, and on a
portion of this property erected the Conton
Iron Works. Here he built the first loco
MOTIVE ever constructed in America. He
afterwards founded the Trenton Iron Works,
where the first iron beams, now so much
used in fire-proof buildings, were rolled. He
was one of the earliest and most active pro-
moters of the Atlantic telegraph. About
1850 he resolved to devote a considerable
| portion of his ample fortune to public use.
For this purpose he 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 the working classes. In a
conversation 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, or been
nabled through the education received al
he 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
Greenbacker. He was the nominee of thai
party for the Presidency in 1876, receivint
81, ,740 votes. He was eminently practica
and successful i'm all pursuits Of life. He
lived to see the full fruition of his philan
thropic plans, and his memory will long bs
revered by thousands who have benefited BY
his noble generosity.