JAMES COOPER, one of the oldest residents of Franklin township, is a native of the same, having been born in that locality, April 18, 1817. His father, Stephen Cooper, was also born in Franklin township, and his grandfather, Zebulon Cooper, was a native of New Jersey, which had long been the home of the family. Zebulon Cooper was married to Mary White (a native of Long Island), and soon afterward came to Pennsylvania, where he erected a log cabin, and commenced to establish a home in the forests of Washington county. The following children were born to this pioneer couple: Susanna, born July 22, 1776; Zebulon, born October 28, 1778; Elizabeth, born April 29, 1781; Mary, born July 18, 1783; John, born January 11, 1786; Silvanus, born December 27, 1787; Jerusha, born October 17, 1789; Stephen, born January 26, 1792; Ephraim, born June 7, 1794; Eunice, born July 18, 1795, and Hannah, born November 17, 1798. Mr. Cooper was a strong advocate of the principles embodied in the Whig party. He was one of the earliest Presbyterians of Franklin township, and took a deep interest in the religious welfare of the community. He and his wife resided on the farm until their death. Stephen Cooper grew to manhood in Franklin township, Washington county, on the farm of his father, and shared in the many privations of pioneer life. He received a limited school education, and on March 22, 1816, was united in marriage with Hannah, daughter of James Bane, and their children were: James, Lavina, William, Charlotte, Rebecca, Amasa, Josiah, Lewis W., Sophia, Stephen, Phebe, Ellen and David. After his marriage Mr. Cooper settled on the farm where the remainder of his life was spent, and which he improved with the aid of his sons. He was interested in all questions pertaining to the growth and improvement of the township, and was a member of the Whig party, afterward becoming a Republican. He died in 1880, and his wife rests by his side. James Cooper remained on the home farm in Franklin township during his earlier years, and on January 6, 1840, was married to Harriet, daughter of Ezra Young, of New Jersey. After his marriage Mr. Cooper settled on the farm which is his present home. To this union the following children were born: Ann E., John W., Warren, Addison and Lewis. The mother died in 1849, and Mr. Cooper was afterward married to Susan, daughter of Harry Van Kirk, an early resident of Washington county, and their children are: Henry, Morris, Marion, Charles P., Bryant, Jane and Mary. Mr. Cooper has made many improvements on his farm. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and since the formation of that party has been a Republican. Although he has never accepted a political office, he is deeply interested in the progress of his party. In religion he has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years.

Text taken from page 552 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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