JONAS COOPER. Prominent among the oldest, best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Washington county stands Jonas Cooper, who in his social and political life has proven himself in all respects worthy of the good name he bears. He is a native of the county, having been born May 30, 1814, on the farm where he now lives in Franklin township. His grand-father, Moses Cooper, was born August 8, 1727, in New Jersey, and there married Mary Doty, who was born April 30, 1733, and died November 14, 1823. The names and dates of birth of the children born to this union are as follows: Zebulon, January 13, 1752 (died December 22, 1835); Moses, April 4, 1754 (died April 16, 1831); Mary, June 6,1756 (died October 21, 1832); Elizabeth, May 26,1759 (died in 1844); Nathaniel, September 21, 1761 (died April 16, 1848); Eunice, March 26, 1764 (died July 14, 1850); Lemuel, March 4, 1767 (died January 19, 1797); Penelope, November 28, 1769 (died July 28, 1833); Ephraim, July 9, 1772 (died February 18, 1860); and Stephen, February 14, 1775 (died May 29,1853). In 1778 the father, Moses Cooper, started with his large family from New Jersey for Washington county, Penn., but while on the way he died in Fayette county, Penn., where he is buried. He had sold his property in New Jersey, receiving in payment thereof "Continental money," which had so depreciated at the time of his death as to be comparatively worthless. The family, now almost penniless, continued their journey westward, arriving in course of time at their destination. Zebulon, one of the sons, had learned the trade of a tanner in New Jersey, and upon his arrival in Washington county commenced business in a very modest way in that line. He took his brother Ephraim as an apprentice, teaching him both the tanning and shoemaking trades, the first of which he (Ephraim) subsequently followed nearly his entire life. He commenced by tanning his own leather, and going from house to house, making shoes at 30 cents a pair. He soon, however, purchased the farm now occupied by our subject, and on it built one of the first tanneries in this section, which stood until 1890. On February 27,1794, he married Margaret, daughter of Abram Van Voorhees, who bore him the following children: Daniel, born February 17, 1795. died June 26, 1877; Catherine, born June 17, 1798, died February 12, 1876; Nellie, born January 6,1804, died December 16, 1878; Lany, born December 1,1806; Pamelia, born February 28, 1811; and Jonas, born May 30,1814. The father died February 18,1860, the mother on March 6, 1859. Ephraim Cooper was an energetic man, and one who took a lively interest in the prosperity and growth of his county. He taught his trade to at least fourteen men and boys. In politics he was an active Whig, and in religion was first a leading supporter of the Upper Ten Mile Presbyterian Church, of which he was one of the organizers, and in 1831 united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Jonas Cooper passed his boyhood and youth with his parents, attending school occasionally. When old enough be learned the trade of a tanner, and after the retirement of his father from active life conducted the tannery which the latter had established. On November 3, 1836, Mr. Cooper married Sarah, daughter of Luther Axtell, of New Jersey, who came at an early date to Washington county. The children born of this union were: Daniel, born September 14, 1837, died January 27, 1875, in Jefferson county (he was educated at Waynesburgh College, and for many years was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church); Philip A., born February 12, 1839; Emeline (Mrs. Joseph Riggs, of Morris township), born July 8, 1842; Alva, born May 20, 1844 (he was educated at Waynesburgh College, and was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Bentleyville, Washington county); Sarah J. (Mr. Ira B. Baldwin), born April 13,1848 (in Decatur county, Kans.); and Jonas J., born July 13, 1853, died at the age of ten years. Our subject has been from his youth a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics he was first an Oldline Whig, then a Republican, but is now a pronounced supporter of the Prohibition party. His wife died August 23, 1885. Philip A. Cooper enlisted in August, 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was first sent to Maryland to guard the railroads, and then joined Hancock's division. He participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the army of the Potomac, including Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Ford's Tavern, Deep Bottom, Charles City Cross Roads, Reams Station, Petersburg, and many others, and was present at Lee's surrender. On his return home he commenced farming, an occupation he has since continued. On January 4, 1870, Mr. Cooper married Ellen, daughter of Michael Slusher, of Amwell township, and of this union have been born tile following children: Addle M., Ashton Carey, Nora B., Howard D. and Lewis C. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist.

Text taken from page 498 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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