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Charles William Cooper (1823 - 1918)

Charles William "Will, Chas, Pap" Cooper
Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.map
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of
Husband of — married 9 Sep 1847 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USAmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , and
Died at age 95 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.map
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Profile last modified | Created 14 Jun 2015
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Biography

Charles William Cooper was born on 3 February 1823 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The son of George Cooper and Elizabeth Bechel owners of the Red Lion Tavern, he attended the local common schools as well as Lancaster Academy.[1] He was a musically inclined child who played the cello.

According to Masonic records, "Will" started working in his early teens at Carson's Dry Goods store in Lancaster. He stayed at this job until 1835 when he went to Philadelphia to work as a clerk in a wholesale dry goods business. He spent 9 years in Philadelphia, gaining skill and experience at bookkeeping.[2]

While in Philadelphia, Charles continued to play music. He bought a higher quality instrument and joined the Philharmonic Society of Philadelphia as a cellist.[3] The Philharmonic Society, begun in 1833 by Leopold Meignen, gave amateur musicians an opportunity to gain experience and perform publicly.[4] The Society performed at the Musical Fund Hall, an historic landmark building that still stands. [5]

Through this venue, Charles may have met the Philadelphia born composer William Henry Fry whose fourth overture had been performed by the Philharmonic in 1833 and who became secretary for the organization in 1836. [6] [7]. Charles Cooper may also have met another Philadelphia composer, Charles Hommann. Hommann's, Overture in D, won the Society's Gold Medal in the 1835 competition. He actively participated in the city's musical circles as well as published new music throughout the time Cooper lived in the city.[8]

Charles returned to Lancaster about 1844. It was a good time to return to his hometown. The Conestoga Steam Cotton Mill Complex was being built. It would be the first steam powered cotton mill in Pennsylvania.[1] Cooper got a job as a bookkeeper working his way up to become the company Treasurer. [9][10] He became active in the Fulton Masonic Lodge.[11] He served on the jury in the Court of Common Pleas in May of 1859.[12]

Back in Lancaster, Charles met Elizabeth Pauline Demuth. They married on 9 September 1847. [13] Together they would have as many as 13 children.[14] Seven of these children passed away in childhood. Those who lived included: Adelaide Cooper (1849), Charles Ferdinand "Charlie" Cooper (1852), Samuel Cooper (1855), Andrew E. Cooper (1859), Clarence Lincoln "Lin" Cooper (1866), and Elizabeth Pauline "Dolly" Cooper (1870).[15][16][17][18]

A story passed down in the Cooper family centers on meeting Adelina Patti, the famous Victorian era opera singer. The tale states that Charles was so charmed by Adelina, he "dandled her on his knee".[19] This story has a chance of being true. In 1852 nine year old Adelina sang at Fulton Hall (now known as the Fulton Opera House) in Lancaster, PA as part of a tour with Ole Bull, a Norwegian virtuoso violinist and composer.[20][21] This concert was the inaugural music concert for Fulton Hall and likely Adelina's first tour.[22] According to the family account, the concert also coincided with the first Lancaster State Fair. The local Lancaster orchestra had been given the honor of performing the first night of the fair, but gave precedence to the international artist giving their concert the second night. But then it was discovered there were no hotel rooms to be had in the city. So, Charles and Elizabeth welcomed Adelina, her sister, Amalia Patti and their father, Salvatore Patti as guests in their home.[23] Adelina performed with Ole Bull throughout the following year and eventually became an international star.[24][25][26][27]

In the late 1850's Charles' health and well being deteriorated. He had frequent headaches and fits of temper.[28] The cause may have been work stress. The financial panic of 1857 affected the welfare of many manufacturing and financial institutions, the Conestoga Steam Mills among them.[29][30]The crisis had early warning signals. In the 3rd and 4th quarter of 1850 production levels plummeted to 30% of capacity. The mill ran out of operating capital. Bills payable soared and dividends ceased.[31] Then in 1855 and 1856 a general economic slowdown occurred. Although Conestoga shares had been split in 1855 and the company restructured into three separate entities, it was not enough to prevent a sheriff's sale.[32] Francis Schroeder & Co. bought Mill Number 1. John Farnum of Philadelphia bought Mill Number 2. Later Farnum also purchased Mill Number 3. Charles Cooper, Treasurer, resigned and undertook a grand tour of Europe to recover.[33] He sailed from Jersey City on 13 May 1857 on the S. S. Africa for Liverpool, England. He spent time in England, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France before retuning to his family by way of Halifax, Canada. He arrived back in Lancaster on 29 August 1857.[34]

Refreshed from his trip and seeking new opportunity, Charles moved his family from Lancaster to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania after the 1860 Census.[35] Charles W. Cooper is found in the 1861 and again in the 1865 Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities living on Palo Alto Street.[36] He is listed as a clerk. The family is found in the 1870 Census in Allegheny City. Charles worked as a bookkeeper.[37] By 1876, Charles and his family had moved to Sampson Street walking distance from their previous home. He was also in a new job working as the Manager of Hostetter and Smith, a manufacturer of stomach bitters.[38]

Charles bought a parcel of land nearby in the Manchester neighborhood of Allegheny City from Josiah Cohen and his wife, Caroline Naumburg Cohen on 23 August 1879. [39] He paid $4,000 for the lot which measured 40' wide by 138' deep. At $1.38 per square foot, this price was comparable to other undeveloped lots at the time and indicates the home had not yet been built. [40]

Allegheny County mortgage records contain no record of any mortgage loans taken by Charles W. Cooper that could have been used to finance construction. Therefore, the architect of 126 Sheffield Street (now 1226 Sheffield Street) is unknown.[41]

The new home was built in the Second Empire Style. Second Empire homes tended to be large and built for the affluent. They exuded character and a sense of permanence. [42]Not only was this style fashionable, it was practical for large families. An extra floor of living space could be tucked under the roof. To see a photo of this home click here: [2]

Elizabeth decorated the home with an abundance of color. The hand painted ceilings were considered so tasteful, they were retained by subsequent owners of the property until the mid 20th century when the building became a rooming house. When appreciation for Victorian style grew at the turn of the 21st century, these original ceilings were restored.

The Cooper home on Sheffield Street became known for music.[43] Charles passed his love of music on to his children and they were accomplished musicians in their own right. Son Charley's skill playing the cello earned him recognition in the Beethoven Quartet and a place with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from their second season in 1897 through 1900.[44].[45][46]Daughter, "Dolly", studied piano in Europe.[47] [48]

Throughout his years in Allegheny City, Charles kept in touch with his family in Lancaster. Along with his aunt and cousin, William, he donated a piece of property for the building of a school in Lancaster in 1887.[49]

Charles W. Cooper passed away on 8 August 1918.[50] It is unlikely that his death was related to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. Pittsburgh's first official death from the second wave of this pandemic would not be reported until two months later on 2 October 1918. In Pittsburgh Influenza proved to be very deadly ultimately killing more people per capita than in any other city in the United States.[51][52][53][54] Charles' obituary listed him as a member of the Sandusky Street Baptist Church. The site of this house of worship is currently occupied by Allegheny General Hospital.[55] Funeral services were held at his residence, 1226 Sheffield Street, Pittsburgh, PA on Wednesday, 7 August 1918 at 8:00PM. He is interred without a headstone, surrounded by family members, at the Uniondale Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (Lot 48 & 50, Range 9, Section F-2).[56]

Sources

  1. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977. page 117
  2. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977. pages 126-127
  3. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977.pages 126-127
  4. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=96lHl-Qawg4C&pg=PR35&lpg=PR35&dq=philadelphia+philharmonic+society+gold+medal+1830s&source=bl&ots=MYHY1czP7m&sig=1uhprEybrI1DISWpeiMRpswzGf0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiwlry8v-DZAhWGt1kKHWAUDbAQ6AEINjAB#v=onepage&q=philadelphia%20philharmonic%20society%20gold%20medal%201830s&f=false
  5. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_Fund_Hall
  6. ↑ Upton, William Treat, "William Henry Fry, American Journalist and Composer-Critic"' Thomas Y. Crowell Company: New York. 1947. pages 18-19.
  7. ↑ http://www.library.upenn.edu/collections/rbm/keffer/fry.html
  8. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hommann][https://books.google.com/books?id=96lHl-Qawg4C&pg=PR35&lpg=PR35&dq=philadelphia+philharmonic+society+gold+medal+1830s&source=bl&ots=MYHY1czP7m&sig=1uhprEybrI1DISWpeiMRpswzGf0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiwlry8v-DZAhWGt1kKHWAUDbAQ6AEINjAB#v=onepage&q=philadelphia%20philharmonic%20society%20gold%20medal%201830s&f=false
  9. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977.
  10. ↑ "Conestoga Steam Mills", Lancaster Intelligencer, Lancaster, PA, Tuesday, January 28, 1851, page 2. http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Olive/APA/CivilWar/?skin=civilwar#panel=document
  11. ↑ "Fulton Lodge", Lancaster Intelligencer, Lancaster, PA; Tuesday, November 4, 1851, page 2. http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Olive/APA/CivilWar/?skin=civilwar#panel=document
  12. ↑ "List of Juros to Serve in the Court of Common Pleas Commencing May 23rd", Lancaster Intelligencer, Lancaster, PA; Tuesday April 26, 1859, page 2. http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Olive/APA/CivilWar/?skin=civilwar#panel=search&search=3
  13. ↑ Rechcigl, Jr., PhD, Miloslav. "The Demuth Genealogy Revisited: A Moravian Brethren Family from Czechoslovakia." The Journal of Lancaster County's Historical Society: Volume 92; pages: 55-68.
  14. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977.
  15. ↑ United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4HP-9ZG : accessed 2 June 2016), Charles W Cooper, Lancaster city, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States; citing family 452, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  16. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX5Q-HH2 : accessed 2 June 2016), Charles W Cooper, 1860.
  17. ↑ United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZL9-DY7 : accessed 2 June 2016), Charles W Cooper, Pennsylvania, United States; citing p. 49, family 365, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,789.
  18. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," Database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW6H-5SG : accessed 20 June 2015), W Charles Cooper, Allegheny, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district 5, sheet 90A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1086; FHL microfilm 1,255,086.
  19. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977.pages 149-150.
  20. ↑ https://thefulton.org/theatre/history/full-history/
  21. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Bull
  22. ↑ https://thefulton.org/theatre/history/full-history/
  23. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977.pages 149-150.
  24. ↑ New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]), 04 May 1852. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030213/1852-05-04/ed-1/seq-1/>
  25. ↑ Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]), 17 Nov. 1852. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86092535/1852-11-17/ed-1/seq-2/>
  26. ↑ The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]), 10 Jan. 1853. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024738/1853-01-10/ed-1/seq-3/>
  27. ↑ The Nashville union. (Nashville [Tenn.]), 07 April 1853. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86071264/1853-04-07/ed-1/seq-2/>
  28. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977.
  29. ↑ Ellis, Franklin and Evans, Samuel; "History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of its Pioneers and Prominent Men"; Everts & Peck; Philadelphia; 1883; pages 518- 519.
  30. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_of_1857
  31. ↑ https://www.fandm.edu/david-schuyler/lancaster-in-1850/the-conestoga-steam-and-cotton-mills
  32. ↑ Ellis, Franklin and Evans, Samuel; "History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of its Pioneers and Prominent Men"; Everts & Peck; Philadelphia; 1883; pages 518- 519.
  33. ↑ "United States Passport Applications, 1795-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2YW-HC5N : 16 March 2018), Charles Wm Cooper, 30 Apr 1857; citing Passport Application, United States, source certificate #, Passport Applications, 1795-1905., 62, NARA microfilm publications M1490 and M1372 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  34. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977.
  35. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX5Q-HH2 : accessed 2 June 2016), Charles W Cooper, 1860.
  36. ↑ Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City; R. L. Polk Publisher; 1861-1862 and 1865-1866. Collection of Historic Pittsburgh
  37. ↑ United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZL9-DY7 : accessed 2 June 2016), Charles W Cooper, Pennsylvania, United States; citing p. 49, family 365, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,789.
  38. ↑ Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City; R. L. Polk Publisher; 1876. Collection of Historic Pittsburgh
  39. ↑ Allegheny County Deed Book 394: 365
  40. ↑ Peterson, Carol; "History of 1226 Sheffield Street"; August 1999
  41. ↑ Peterson, Carol; "History of 1226 Sheffield Street"; August 1999
  42. ↑ https://www.wentworthstudio.com/historic-styles/second-empire/
  43. ↑ Obituary of Charles W. Cooper.
  44. ↑ Friedrich, Caroline J.; Archivist Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; email to Judith Brandau "Re: Early Symphony Musicians" 27 October 2017
  45. ↑ United States Census, 1900," Database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS16-ZFL : accessed 20 June 2015), Charles W Cooper, Precinct 6 Allegheny city Ward 5, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 11A, family 225, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,241,356.
  46. ↑ United States Census, 1910," Database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGWB-C9Y : accessed 20 June 2015), Charles W Cooper, Pittsburgh Ward 21, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 569, sheet 6B, family 135, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,375,320.
  47. ↑ Cooper, Charles W., "Family Rootage", Santa Barbara, California: Self Published. Busy Bee Instant Printing. 1977; pages 172-174.
  48. ↑ E. Pauline Look in Passenger Arrival Lists; 19 October 1914; Ship Minnewaska; Passenger #100527120275; Frame 5; Line 21.www.libertyellisfoundation.org
  49. ↑ "Give Land for a School House", Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, Lancaster, PA; June 8 1887, page 1. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83032300/1887-06-08/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1789&index=17&rows=20&words=Cooper+J+William&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Pennsylvania&date2=1963&proxtext=William+J.+Cooper&y=13&x=20&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
  50. ↑ Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
  51. ↑ https://pittsburghquarterly.com/articles/when-the-spanish-flu-swept-in-pittsburgh-failed-the-test/
  52. ↑ https://archive.triblive.com/local/westmoreland/1918-influenza-pandemic-exacted-deadly-toll-on-western-pennsylvania-world-100-years-ago/
  53. ↑ https://archive.triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-decimated-by-1918-flu-pandemic/
  54. ↑ 3959-Article Text-3804-1-10-20121002.pdf
  55. ↑ http://www.reformedreader.org/history/associations/churchesofthe.pittsburgh.baptistassociation.sandusky.htm
  56. ↑ Obituary of Charles W. Cooper.




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Rejected matches › Charles Wycliffe Cooper (1901-) › Charles Joseph (Cooper) Collins (1825-1895) › William R Cooper (abt.1822-) › William Cooper (abt.1823-) › Charles Cooper › Charles Cooper (-1917)

Charles is 23 degrees from Emeril Lagasse, 24 degrees from Nigella Lawson, 25 degrees from Maggie Beer, 47 degrees from Mary Hunnings, 30 degrees from Joop Braakhekke, 29 degrees from Michael Chow, 26 degrees from Ree Drummond, 25 degrees from Paul Hollywood, 23 degrees from Matty Matheson, 26 degrees from Martha Stewart, 33 degrees from Danny Trejo and 29 degrees from Molly Yeh on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

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Categories: Manchester, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Cellists | Union Dale Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania