Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-04-19
PETER COOPER DEAD.
Sketch of His Life.

NEW YORK, April 5.
Peter Cooper died of pneumonia at $3.50
yesterday morning, aged so 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
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
helllewshe had not long to live, and they
must become reconciled to the fact. His
death occurred exactly at three a. IN. He
remained conscious up to the time of his
demise, and made several remarks i'll re-
gard to familysaffairs. !
Among the manyswhoS called to express
sorrow for Mr.. CoOper's death were Samuel
j. 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 We're displayed
at half-mast on Cooper Institute the City
Hall, the Post Office building, newspaper
offices and other public and private build
mgs.
Forty-three members of the PENNSYLVANIA
Commandery of the military order of tie
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. g. gt .rt
49, 4 BIOGRAPHICAL. / }..t '-ss*
Peter Cooper was born in the city of New
York, February II, 1871, when its 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 III themanufacture Of hats. He,
naturally enough, learned the trade of his
father, and pursued it with him. The latter
afterwards sold out his business, and remOy-
ing to NeWbtrgh, n. Y, erected a brewery,
and young Cooper engaged here with lis
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. Aftt1
arriving at age, and working in Hempstca4,
Long Island, at the manufacture of a m:,-
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-
quentiy 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 uutil the present time,
and is now in successful operation. In 1928
he purchased 200 acres of land within the
now corporated limits of Baltimore, Mary
land, paying therefor S105,00o, and on a
portion of this property erected the COnton
Iron Works. Here he built tile first loco
motive ever constructed in America. lie
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
nOterS 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 a 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 received 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 4
Grecnbackcr He was the nominee of that
party for the Presidency in 1876, receiving
S1,740 votes. He was eminenty practical
and successful in all pursuits of life. He
lived to see the full fruiton Of his .philan-
tllropic plans, and his Menioryswill long be
reyered by thousands who have benefited by
his noble yenerOSity o., .