COOPER, JUDGE JH

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.                   

page 408

JOHN H. COOPER, Probate Judge of Greene County, was elected to that position in 1884, qualifying for office February 9, 1885.  At the expiration of the term of three years, which is the length of service in Ohio, he was continued in office, having been re-elected in 1887.  He is filling the position acceptably to the people and with credit to himself.  Judge Cooper is a man of excellent business and judicial ability, and of Christian character, and stands high in the estimation of his fellow-men.

Judge Cooper is a son of the Rev. Ebenezer Cooper, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, who was born in South Carolina, in 1792.  Although South Carolina was his home during his youth, Ebenezer Cooper was educated at New York City, and took his theological course of study at Philadelphia.  Upon completing his education he returned to the South to enter the ministry there, his first charge being at Fayetteville, Tenn. After leaving that State he took charge of a church in Fayette County, Ind., where he continued his ministerial labors until he lost his health.  Resigning and giving up all connection with an active pastorate, he removed to Cedarville, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life.  In the locations where he had labored he was one of the pioneer ministers.  After completing his education he married Miss Jane McMillan, of South Carolina, who survived until 1888.  They reared a family of six boys and one girl, of whom the Rev. James H. is now living in Highland County; Robert F. in Georgia; and W. R. M. in Findley, this State.

Judge Cooper was born in Fayette County, Tenn., January 13, 1831, and came to this county when about sixteen years old, with his grand­father, Daniel McMillan, one of the old pioneers. The lad attended school in Xenia, with his uncle Daniel McMillan, Jr., the famous cattleman of this country.  After finishing his schooling he entered the store of James C. McMillan, for whom he clerked a number of years.  He then went into business as a member of the firm of Stark, Lytle & Cooper, dealers in general dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes, carpets, etc., continuing the connection until 1861.  He next associated himself with W. C. Hutchinson, continuing an active member of the firm of Cooper & Hutchinson until 1879, when he was elected County Treasurer.  He was re-elected to a second term, and continued in the office until called by the people to occupy the position of which he is now the incumbent.  His entire time is given to the duties of his office, and to those of private life, and for several years past he has been entirely withdrawn from business.

In Xenia, October 19,1859, Judge Cooper was united in marriage with Miss Julia Platter, a daughter of Christian Platter, who was born in Ross County, October 19,1840.  The happy union has resulted in the birth of five children, three of whom died from scarlet fever, at ages varying from from four to eight years; Belle died in 1888, at the age of seventeen; Emily P., a healthy, bright and active infant, was born January 6, 1889. Judge Cooper belongs to the Republican party, by which he was first nominated to an office of public trust.   He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an Elder for many years.

18 Jan 2000

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