The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-04-14
PETER COOPER DEAD.


Nrw York, Arril 3.
Peter Cooper died OF pneumonia at $3.50
yeSterday mSIhlng, aged ~ years he had
been aiing 's6metnne WITH slight cold and
lastsunlal was compelled to remain in bed.
Tlisfamily physician was summoned and
at once discovered the patient suffering from
a severe attack ofpnemonia Mr. Coopers
advanced years We're great drawback tohis
recovery.
About two o'clock in the mouling, he
called his son, ex-Mayor Cooper, and Ms.
Abram S. Hewitt his daughter, and her
family, to his bedside, saying 10 them tina.
he knew he had not long to Eve and they
must become reconciled TO the fact. His
death occurred exactly at three a. M lie
remained conscious mp 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 We're Samuel
j. Tilden, Algemon S. Sullivan, General
Alexander S. Webb and Andrew III. Green
Information of Mr.. CO0per'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, 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, vis-
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 CooDer.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Peter Cooper was born in the city of New
York, February II, 1871, when its popula-
ton was only % 900. His father was q
| Lieutenant in the Continental army, and aft
er the war located in New York City, where
he engaged in themanufacture of hats He
1 naturally enough, learned the trade of his
father, and pursued ii 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 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'm 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-
1
| 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 uutil 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 sos, O0O 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-
meters 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 ne 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
enabled through the education recesad at
the Union to support themselves and famil-
les, were more gratifying and peasurable
TO him than all his possessions. Mr.
Cooper, i'm politics, was of late years a
Greenbacker. He was the nominee of that
party for the Presidency in 1876, receiving
81, 740 votes He was eminently practical
and successful in all pursuits of life. lie
lived to see the full fruition Of his phlau-
thropic plans, ana his memory will long be
reyered by thousands who have benefited by
Ills noble generosity.