JOHN COOPER DIES AT AGE OF 88

John Cooper, Fillmore's oldest man died last Tuesday night at the home of his son Frank. Had he lived until next May he would have been 88 years old. At his death he was the oldest man living in Fillmore.


FUNERAL SERVICES FOR JOHN COOPER

Funeral services were held at the Ward Chapel last Friday over the remains of John Cooper, an account of whose death was published in the Progress last week. Bishop Parker Robison of Fillmore presided. The choir furnished the music with special numbers by a male quartet. Mrs. F. H. Partridge gave the opening prayer. The speakers were Peter L. Brunson, F. A. Robison, and T. C. Callister. Benediction was pronounced by Asael Fisher. The grave was dedicated by F. A. Robison.

Mr. Copper, the son of James and Ann North Cooper, was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, May 27, 1834.

In 1856 Mr. Cooper left England in the ship Enoc Train, and crossed the plains in Captain William B. Hodgett's company as far as Devil's Gate, where he, together with about 20 other men, were left during the winter of 1856-57 to watch the goods cached there by late emigrants of '56. The next spring he came on to Salt Lake and then came almost direct to Fillmore, where he has since lived.

Mr. Cooper has filled two missions, one in 1854-55, before he left England, and again to England in 1880-82, presiding over Leeds, Nottingham and London Conferences.

Mr. Cooper has filled many ecclesiastical positions, among them ward clerk, superintendent of Sunday School, choir leader, president of seventies, and counselor to the president of the stake high priest's quorum.

Mr. Cooper also held important offices in civil life, including city councilman, deputy county clerk, county treasurer, and member of Fillmore school board. He also served in the Indian War.

He married Mary Ann Lewis, June 8, 1857, with whom he had eight children, six of them are living. Mrs. Cooper died Oct. --, 1891. He married Sarah Ann Kate Newbold, July 11, 1882. By this union seven children were born, six of whom are living. She died in July, 1900. In 1902, Mr. Cooper married Mrs. Clara M. Judson, and she had also preceded him to the great beyond dying in July, 1921.

Mr. Cooper is survived by the following children: William and Frank Cooper, Mrs. May Stevens and Mrs. Isabel Speakman, Fillmore; Arthur Cooper, Aurora; George Cooper, North Ogden; Nelson, Fred, and Ben Cooper, Provo; Mrs. Amy Gee and Mrs. Emily Johnson, Ephraim; also 64 grandchildren and 60 great grandchildren.

Mr. Cooper was spoken of by the speakers at the funeral as a man of many friends, one of the best loved men who has lived in Fillmore. He was a man of good cheer and a confirmed optimist. People always found him ready help in times of trouble and a never-ending source of good cheer in times of sorrow or discouragement.

He was a man of great physical endurance and courage. During his service in the Black Hawk War he won a medal for bravery. In the trying times of the terrible winter at Devil's Gate, when he and the twenty men he was with were reduced to a diet of raw hide, he showed great fortitude and stamina.

He lived his religion well and his upright life was a source of inspiration to all who knew him. He was a lover of children and was never too busy to give them attention and a good word. Nor did his interest in them cease after they grew older and he died rich in lasting friendships.

He had all the qualities of a pioneer and he took an active part in the pioneering of Fillmore and Deseret. After living at the latter place for a few years, he returned to Fillmore, where he has lived ever since.

Although 87 years old at the time of his death, he looked and acted much younger and was active both mentally and physically up to the time of his demise. Up to the time of his eightieth year he held the office of county treasurer, which position he filled efficiently for twelve years preceding.

He will be greatly missed in Fillmore and the town which he helped to build will always owe him a debt of gratitude.