THE COOPER FAMILY

In the year of 1872 our grandfather William Cooper and three of his brothers left the little village of Alweston in rural Dorsetshire, England, to seek their fortunes in the United States. He left behind his wife, Hannah Barter Cooper and three little daughters. They came because they loved the land, and since all the land around their home was owned by a member of the British nobility they felt that there could be no future except that of tenant farmers. In America there would be greater opportunity and that here they might own land. Friends who had preceded them had settled in Henry County in Ohio so that became their destination. They lived in a log cabin along the Maumee River near Florida, Ohio, and went to work clearing the land for farmers in the area. They also had an "Ashery" for as they cleared the land, the logs were burned and lye was made from the ashes. There was a big demand for this for making soap.

Millinery shop of Jennie Cooper Myers in 1900 in Holgate, Ohio.

Six months later his wife Hannah and their three little daughters, Jennie age 7, Elizabeth age 5, and Emily age 3 came to join him. My mother, Jennie, often told me of the long rough voyage across the Atlantic and of seeing a burial at sea. Grandmother often told of how frightened she was in this strange new land, of the occasional Indian, some of whom were still about begging for food and of wild animals in the woods.

They lived in a log cabin near Gerty's Island on the Maumee for about four years. Then they moved to Holgate where grandfather went into the ditching business for the newly cleared land needed drainage. The family lived in a large log house which is still standing. It has been restored by Dr. P. D. Cooper and is now his residence and dental office. It is located across from the Holgate School.

The family increased in size to eight by sons Charles, Walter, and Albert, daughters, Fannie who married Jesse Bordner, and Viola who married Richard Meinen. Charles and Albert were farmers and Walter was a business man in Holgate for many years. They attended the school in Holgate and as children went to the Presbyterian Church (now the Masonic Temple). All of the family except Elizabeth lived in or near Holgate all their lives. She married Fred Zwilling and lived in the Mansfield area.

Some of the third generation still live in Holgate and one of the fourth generation a great grandson of William and Hannah, Roger Cooper still lives on the farm of his grandfather Albert with his wife Nancy and their children John and Laura.

The third generation has followed various vocations. Some of them were farmers, several teachers, two nurses, a Police Major on the Toledo Police Department. Although now scattered to live in California, Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan, I know they are good citizens of their grandparents' adopted country.

In 1965 I visited the family homestead in England and met members of the Cooper family. The home has been in the family for six generations. It is in a beautiful part of England, in a peaceful little village, and I couldn't help but think of the courage it took for those four young men to leave all that was dear and familiar to come to America.

Submitted by Mildred Myers Steele (Daughter Of Jennie)

Henry County Review Account of the death of William Cooper, March 19, 1908.

ANOTHER KILLED at B&O crossing on Wilhelm Street. Wm. Cooper struck by express train

The lifeless body of Wm. Cooper was found yesterday morning lying about 60 feet west of Wilhelm Street at the B&O crossing on the south side of the track near the warehouse of Backus & Meyer.

The body was taken to the undertaking establishment of E.&K. Vogel where the remains were viewed by the coroner Dr. Manhardt, of McClure.

The Cooper family home — now restored and owned by Dr. P. D. Cooper, Holgate, Ohio.

Cooper's body revealed the fact that he had been hit by a train from the east. A deep triangular cut was on his left cheek, his left ribs were broken and his left leg broken just above the ankle. The skull was also fractured. Shortly after ten o'clock Tuesday morning Cooper started for home and when he arrived at the B.&0. crossing could not get across on account of the crossing being blocked by a freight train. While here different parties conversed with him. Miss Gertie Mink and Fred Jackman who had escorted Miss Mary Ricker to her home in the south part of town, came up to the railroad and not being able to cross went down to the Keyser street crossing. Before they reached the residence of Miss Mink they heard the sound of No. 47, a fast express train from the east go by.

The supposition is that Mr. Cooper attempted to cross the track after the freight train had cleared the crossing and in so doing was struck by the fast express train which he did not hear on account of the noise made by the freight train.

Wm. Cooper was a native of England and came to this country many years ago locating in Henry County. He was aged about 66 years and one of the oldest residents of Holgate. A widow, Hannah Barter Cooper, and eight children survive him. The children are Mrs. Fred Zwilling, of Mansfield; Mrs. P. E. Diery, of Liberty Center; Mrs. George Myers, Mrs. Jesse Bordner, Mrs. J. D. Meinen, Charles, Albert and Walter Cooper, of Holgate.