Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-05
PETERCOOPER DEAD
The Venerable PhiIanthrOpist Breathes
His Last Surrounded by His Family,
Who Assembled at His
Request, He Himself Announcing His 4 p.
proachipg DissOlGtiOn-Brief sketch
of His Noble Career.

NEW YORK, April 4-Pster Cooper died
OF pneumonia at $3.50 O'Clock this morning,
aged ninety-two years. Mr. Cooper cee-
brales his ninety second birthday February
18th. He has been ailiug sometime with a
slight cold, and Sunday vas compelled to
remain in bed. The family physician was
summoned, and at once discovered that the
P atient was suffering from Il severe attack Of
pneumonia. Mr.. Cooper's advanced years
was great drawback to his recovery. About
o'clock this morning he called hls son, ex.
Mayor Cooper, aud Mrs. Aoram s. Hewitt,
his daughter, and her family, 10 his bsdsids,
saying 10 them he knew he had moi long to
live, and they must become reconciled to the
fact. His death occurred at exactly 3
o'clock, am. He remained conscious up to
the time of his demise, and made several re-
marks in regard to family affairs. Many
friends Of tbs fsmily and prominent CT liens
called at the house this morning aud ex-
pressed sysnfathy with the bereavsd family
Mr.. Cooper siss born n this city, February
II, 1877, and lived a life fail Of honors
from early boy hood.
Among the many who called to express
sorrow for Mr.. Cooper's demis- were Samuel
]. Iiden, Algernon S. Sullivan, Gen. Alex
ADDER 5. Webb aud Andrew II. Green. Dur
ing his last hours, MIR. Cooper N snlfssted 9
great interest in Cooper Institute, snd spoke
10 Hewitt and TO his son, exMayor Cooper,
about the manner IN which the work should
be carried on after his death. Inform stien
Of Mr.. Cooper's demise quickly spread
throughout the city, exciting feelings of
regret. Flags are at haLl-mAst on Cooper
institute, CITY Hall, the postofice building,
newspaper offices, and other public and pri-
vate dwellings.
OBITUARY.
Pc Ter COOPER was born IN New York
Guy, February II, 1871. HIS early advanta-
gss Of education were meager, as his father,
who was unfortunate in business, required
his services mos! Of the time in the manu-
factory, which he was struggling to carry on
with Inefficient means. AT the age Of seven-
teen Peter was placed as an apprentice 10 the
coachmaker's trade, which he learned very
thoroughly, thong h he Gid not long practice
it. During the next ten or fifteen years he
followed FIVE different kinds OF business, but
was only successful with the last, namely,
the manufacture Of glue and isiuglsss.
About 1880 he began also TO be interested in
the manu- sclure of iron, and bu 1t extensive
works at Contdn, near Baltimore, where he
conslruc:ed ed, soon sfser, from his own designs,
the first locomotive engine ever manufactured
in America. Having sold his works near
Baltimore, he erected others in New York
CITY, and in 1915 removed them TO Trenton,
N. j., and they are now the largest IRON
works in the United States, other parties
having become interested with Mr.. Cooper in
them. Mr.. Cooper has also been for some
years largely interested in both land and
ocean telegraphs As a phiauthropist Mr..
Cooper has manifested his libsraiily ia ef-
forts to advance the education, the health,
and the social and moral condition Of the
poorer and the working classes. He has
taken a deep interest in common schools; has
erected, at his own cost, the Cooper Uoion
for the Advancement OF Science and Arr, ,
aud has largely endowed it. This institu-
lion has large library and free reading
room for the use Of working people, and ali
who choose to avail themselves of it; schools
of design for both men and women, In draw
ing, painting, and engraving; matthew atical
Oh, micsl, and philosophical schools, all free,
lectures, etc. The building (portions OF
which are rented for other purposes, and the
rental paid into The fund for the support oil
| the objscs of tue inslilurion) CT st about
| $500 900, and tubsequent endow meuts have
raised the entire gilt 10 about SS5O,OO0. Mr.
| Cooper has also been the president of the
| Cit us' A-s5c7at.on, and has aided largely
u the organization of a board Of heal. b.
| and other sanitary measures, and he has
! always taken a leading part in public affairs
| He was the candidate of the Gre.nback par
| for President, and Of lat. years the sdyo
cscy OF that political heresy was HE hobby
| Beloved of the people as their advocate anC
| friend, his death will b. incurred by them al
| they have mournsd d for no other man Ct III,
cen ury. Peter Cooper was great because ii
was good, benevolent and philanthropic.
I