cooperj
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
JOHN M. COOPER, M. D., Deceased.
No work that purports to mention the pioneers and prominent citizens of
Douglas county would be complete without reference to the well-known gentleman
and professional man whose name initiates this article. Dr. Cooper
is certainly worthy to be numbered among the leading citizens of Douglas
county and his memory is dear to all. For many years he was county
physician and during his residence here had a large practice, being one
of the skillful and successful physicians of central Washington.
John Cooper was born in Memphis, Missouri,
in 1858, being the son of Joseph and Sarah (Worth) Cooper, natives of Pennsylvania,
and of English and German ancestry, respectively. After the primary
training of the common school course, he matriculated in a leading college
and in due course of time received his degree, then entered the medical
department of the University of Iowa attending the same until his diploma
was received. He was a thorough and hard-working student and immediately
after graduation began the practice of medicine in Defiance, Missouri.
After three years there, he went to Nebraska, settling in Holstein.
Thence, in 1889, he came to Douglas county, taking up the practice of his
profession in Waterville. He continued steadily in the same until
March 4, 1903, when death claimed the good man and many were left to mourn
his demise. With proper ceremonies and in the presence of a vast
concourse of friends his remains were laid to rest in the Waterville cemetery.
Doctor Cooper had three brothers, William Z., Perry, George W., and one
sister, Mrs. Joseph Ingalls.
In Bedford, Iowa, in 1882, Dr. Cooper married
Miss Nancy E., daughter of Thomas M. and Katherine (Hays) Simons, natives
of Virginia and Illinois, respectively, and pioneers in Iowa. Mrs.
Cooper has the following brothers and sisters: Ralph H., Thomas R., James
N., John W., Burton L., Mrs. David C. Ellis, Mrs. Thomas Davidson and Mrs.
Wilbur Freemeyer. To Doctor and Mrs. Cooper the following children
have been born: Astley Raymond, in Iowa City, on January 24, 1883, now
a druggist in Waterville; Joseph Thomas, born in Defiance, Missouri, on
February 7, 1885, and now a student; Leslie Zonas, born in Defiance, Missouri,
on November 2, 1887. Dr. Cooper was a member of the A. F. & A.
M., the Modern Woodmen and the Eastern Star, and at his death these societies
and individuals rendered lasting tribute to his memory as a man, brother,
friend and physician.
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