Buffalo, SD was part of the 'wild, wild West!'

Growing up in northwestern South Dakota and southwestern North Dakota, my father thought of himself as a 'cowboy.' Of course, that was partially true, since his father had a herd of cattle near Buffalo, SD. All of those experiences influenced my dad, and gave him plenty of 'wild west' stories to tell.

I remember Daddy telling of the time he was allowed to go to town (Buffalo) with his Uncle Mert (see the photo in a previous post which shows Milo Merton, my great-uncle). The story goes like this...

My father was about 14 years old, and accompanied Uncle Mert to the town of Buffalo. Back in those days, cattle were allowed to roam free on the prairie, eating the rich prairie grass that provided their sustenance. (My dad always used to say that it was a huge mistake when farmers came and plowed up that rich grass, since its roots ran about 6 or 7 feet deep into that dry soil, and that kept the prairie covered with grass that grew heartily even in those often droughty conditions). But, along came farmers from various parts of the 'east' and did their farming with methods that worked fine where there was plenty of rain and loamy soil to allow crops to grow. In the Dakotas, that soil is not the same. It is sandy, and very dry, with sometimes constant wind to make growing a crop nearly impossible. Because of this error in judgement on the part of the farmers who settled there, prairie grass soon became the 'enemy,' and one they made every effort to remove. This began range wars between the cattle men and the farmers (or 'honyockers,' as my father used to call them...)

So, meanwhile, back at the saloon in Buffalo on a Saturday night when my dad was allowed to tag along with Uncle Mert.... Guns were a common sight in those untamed lands, since there were plenty of coyotes and other 'varmints' that might be interested in killing and consuming young calves or other livestock that those settlers might have. And, the owners of the taverns were not thrilled with the idea of imbibing men with their guns strapped to their hips, so they collected the guns at the door of the saloon. 

Uncle Mert began to have a few beers (remember, this is a very parched countryside, and a cowboy worked up a big thirst out there, minding his cattle). Unfortunately, at the same time, in the same saloon, was a 'honyocker' named Mr. Pringle. Well, Mr. Pringle was not happy with Uncle Mert, because although he had fenced in his fields, Uncle Mert's cattle had no respect for fences, and usually plowed right through them on their way to 'greener pastures.' These two men were natural enemies, due to the nature of their occupations! 

Apparently, Mr. Pringle also enjoyed a few beers on a Saturday night, so both he and Uncle Mert were 'high as a kite,' as my father would describe them. They got into an argument, which developed into a fist fight, and then got pretty ugly. In the end, Mr. Pringle lost either the tip of his nose, or part of an ear, to Uncle Mert's bite! 

Of course, that hullabaloo brought the sheriff to the tavern, and both men, as well as my father who had accompanied Uncle Mert inside the saloon, were taken to the local jail. I do not know how long Uncle Mert was detained, nor the end condition of Mr. Pringle (sans small piece of his head...), but my father was released after the sheriff found out that he was just 14 years old. (I never thought to ask my father how he got back home, or if they had moved into town, once the homestead was established, but he survived to tell me the story, so he must have found a way.)

 David and our dog Lady walking on the 'crop' the current land-owner had planted on the old homestead south of Buffalo, SD. Nothing came up, so I suppose he got government assistance. There were plenty of snake skeletons and large beetles out there, and plenty of weeds. No crop. No lovely tall prairie grass either...

Honyocker - Old northwest cowboy slang for a failed homestead farmer. Almost as bad as calling a cowboy a sheep herder. Cattle people never liked homesteaders and all their barbed wire fences.

1889 - "This whole town is wall to wall honyockers, bankers and sheep shit." (from Urban Dictionary)

I often heard my father use this term 'honyockers' for the farmers in the area where they ran their cattle.

More tales to come... Stay tuned!

Wm. Walter and Ada May (Staples) Cooper

My grandparents, Wm. Walter Cooper and Ada May (Staples) Cooper met in Sac City, Iowa. My great-grandfather, Wm. Edward, and both of his wives, Rachel Ann Curless and Julia Ann Curless, lived and raised their families mostly in Sac City. Wm. Walter was one of five sons and four daughters (one son and one daughter died in infancy), and he was born in Pittsfield, IL. At four years of age, the family moved to Sac City where for several years they lived on a farm north of the town. He attended public school in Sac City, and at an early age went to work for J.E. Robbins in the grain business and was later taken into partnership.

Wm. Walter was the manager of the grain elevator in Sac City for many years. As he walked to work and home each day, he had somehow managed to tame a crow. That bird would watch and wait until Wm. Walter began to walk home, and would fly down and perch on his shoulder as he walked. My sister, Merry, often said that our grandfather was 'the nicest man,' and I guess if he enjoyed walking with this bird on his shoulder, the crow thought he was nice as well.

Ada May Staples was born in Fredricton, New Brunswick, Canada. She had lived for a time and attended school in Lawrence, Massachusetts after the death of her mother. For that time, she lived with relatives, perhaps members of her father's family. In 1892, she came to Sac City, Iowa, making her home with Professor and Mrs. Gardner. She attended the Baptist College in Sac City at that time. 

On October 29, 1893 Ada May and Wm. Walter were married. To this union, there were three children: Robert Wayne (my father), Marion Fern, and Rachel Eloise. I don't have photos of Marion or Rachel as infants.

 Robert Wayne as an infant.

Robert Wayne at about 1 year. In the late 1800s, it was common to dress boys in frilly clothes when they were small children. Their hair was also very feminine, but usually by the age of four or five, this fashion abated, and boys were allowed more masculine clothing and hair styles.

Robert Wayne at about 2 years of age.

Wm. Walter shared in the ownership of some cattle in northwestern South Dakota. His partner was a Mr. Patterson. According to family stories, the land near Buffalo, SD was rich with lignite coal, just beneath the surface. (This area of South Dakota is just on the lower edge of the huge Bakken oil field that extends way up into Manitoba, Canada.) Mr. Patterson and his son had gone to their small coal mine to get some coal to use for heat in their home when a horrible accident happened. As they were inside the low mine, the roof collapsed onto them. A beam came to rest just above Mr. Patterson so he was still alive, but his son was killed. In order to get out of the collapsed dirt above him, Mr. Patterson had to use his fingers to dig through the rubble. He did escape, but had scraped all the flesh from his fingers in digging out. He was alive, but unable to work the cattle any longer, so he contacted my grandfather, and asked if he and his family could move to the Buffalo area and set up a homestead, and take charge of the cattle business.

So, the family moved there in 1907, and began to homestead some land about 35 miles southeast of Buffalo, near the present little town of Redig. They drove to South Dakota in a covered wagon, and used that as their home until they could get a sod house constructed into the side of a small hill. 

My father told interesting stories about living in that kind of home. They had hung a large canvas around the interior to cover the three dirt walls. The front of the home was made of wood, but the sides were earth, and the roof was sod. Apparently, mice were fond of making their homes in the sod walls, and every so often, my father was able to catch one and chase his sisters about, holding the little mouse by its tail!

When I was in sixth grade, my parents took me to the site where the sod home once stood. Nothing was left there, except a depression in the ground, and a few pieces of china dishes left by someone who had occupied the structure after they left. Most of the land around this home was grass, but there were plenty of snake skeletons and large beetles to make me realize that living out there was quite different from living in central Iowa or in Illinois, where my grandfather had come from.

In those days, although many Native Americans had moved onto reservations, there were still many who roamed in small bands around that part of the country. One day when my grandmother was cooking a pot of stew over the fireplace, she told my father to take his two sisters and 'Buck', the pony, and ride over a nearby hill and stay there until she came to get them. She had spotted three Native Americans coming toward the little house, and was concerned about her family's safety. The kids did as they were told, and hid. The three men came on toward the sod house. They came to the open door, pointed at the stew pot, and rubbed their stomachs. Understanding that they were probably starving (many of those who did not go to the reservations had quite a struggle living on the prairie and wandering around much of the time). She invited them into the little house, pointed at the chairs and table, and motioned for them to sit down. She dished up bowls of the stew, and the hungry men ate ravenously. When they had finished, they stood up, went outside and left. My grandmother walked back to the small hillock where the children had gone to hide, and told them they could return to the house since the men had gone.

During the time the family lived on the homestead (which was composed of the 160 acres the government was offering to homesteaders where they were to live for at least a year to establish ownership of the land), they would take their covered wagon and go to Belle Fourche, SD to wait for a train to arrive which would bring supplies they had ordered from the Sears Roebuck catalog. They would camp near the Belle Fourche River along with other covered wagons who had also come to wait for the train and their supplies. One time when they were camped there, and my aunt Rachel was a baby, several Native Americans came along, pointed at my aunt, and said, "How, how, papoose!" and then turning to my grandmother, asked, "Chew tobac?" She did not have any tobacco to offer them, but they also (being hungry) were looking with interest at a large bone she had hanging on the side of the covered wagon. She had intended to give the bone to the dog, but since the men were obviously needing something to cook and eat, she gave it to them. They accepted it gratefully, and went on their way. 

The brand used for the cattle owned jointly by Wm. Walter and Mr. Patterson was 'I C I' which was stamped on the side of each animal. Below is an image of that brand document.

W.W.Cooper Cattle Brand - I C I

I will tell more stories of this time in my father's life in the next postings. Stay tuned...

Below are photos of this family about the time they lived in Sac City and in Buffalo, SD, and later in Bowman, North Dakota.

 Marion, Wayne and Rachel

 Wm. Walter, Ada May, Wayne, Marion and Rachel

 Wm. Walter Cooper

Ada May (Staples) Cooper

Wm. Walter Cooper & Ada May Staples Cooper

(probably their wedding photo)

William Edward Cooper and Rachel Ann Curless

My great-grandparents on my father's side were William Edward and Rachel Ann (Curless) Cooper, as mentioned previously. Children born to Wm. Edward and Rachel Ann were:

John Franklin (b. 22 Nov 1866 in Pike Co., IL; m. 15 Sep 1891 to Nora Evelyn Austin [no location known]; d. 09 Mar 1955 in Cedar Rapids, IA)

Charles (b. 19 Feb 1868; d. 03 Mar 1878)

Walter William [my grandfather] (b. 07 Sep 1870 at Pittsfield, IL; m. 29 Oct 1893 to Ada Mae Staples in Sac City, IA; d. 30 Dec 1940 at Sac City, IA) - I was just 18 days old when this grandfather died...I never met him.

Nellie Rose (b. 03 Oct 1872; m. [date and location not known] to William Mayclin; d. 09 Jul 1967 at Castle Rock, WA)

Philander 'Rollie' [Roland] (b. 16 Sep 1874 in Maquoketa, IA; m. Katherine Rowe [date and location not known]; d. 25 Feb 1960 at Sonoma, CA)

Milo Merton (b. 14 Jun 1877 in Sac City, IA; m. Lydia Elizabeth Unknown [date and location not known]; d. 12 Jun 1963 [prob. in South Dakota])

Ada Lena (b. 27 Dec 1878 in Sac City, IA; m. to Arthur Stafford in 1896 [location not known]; d. 17 May 1942 in Hawarden, IA)

Alta (b. 05 Dec 1880; d. 05 Feb 1881 [probably in Sac City, IA)

Alma Pearl (b. 06 May 1882 in Iowa [probably Sac City]; m. to Dr. Frank Rowland Molsberry [location not known]; d. 10 Sep 1939 in Sac City, IA)

Wm. Edward and Julia Ann (Curless) Cooper had two children. They were:

Cecil Clayton Cooper [no known birth date or location]; m. to Emma E.Lindaman on 08 May 1917 [location not known]; d. [date and location not known]

Guy Sherman Cooper [no known information, either birth, marriage, or death]

I do have names and private information for the next generation of family members descended from Wm. Edward and both Rachel Ann and Julia Ann Curless, but will not post them here for privacy reasons. 

I will post photos and some details about Wm. Edward and Rachel Ann's 3rd son, my grandfather, Wm. Walter Cooper.

Keep tuned...

More on the Walton side of the family...

My great-great-grandmother, Rebecca Walton, comes from a well-known family from England. There were four Walton brothers who came to America to settle. They were the sons of William Walton and Alice (or Alec, as it is sometimes spelled) Martin. They were from Warwickshire, England. Much of their story is written in the copious meeting notes taken by the Quakers who settled in Byberry Twp. in Pennsylvania. These meeting minutes are compiled into a book, and it tells of the first years in the early settlement of Pennsylvania, and the many well-known people whose names we have come to recognize, such as William Penn and Benjamin Franklin.

The four Walton brothers who came to America were Nathaniel Walton (b. 1656 in Byberry Parish, Gloucestershire, England; m. Martha Brownall 26 Jan 1686; d. 31 Mar 1733 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA, USA), Thomas Walton (b. 1658 in Byberry Parish, Gloucester, England; m. Priscilla Hunn 28 Dec. 1689; d. 04 Feb 1758 in Moreland Twp., Montgomery Co., PA, USA), Daniel Walton (b. 1660 in Byberry Parish, Gloucester, England; m. Mary Esther Lamb 21 Aug 1688 in Byberry, Philadelphia Co., PA, USA; d. 20 Apr 1719 in Byberry Twp., Philadelphia Co., PA, USA), and William Walton (b. 1662 at Byberry Parish, Gloucester, England; m. Sarah Howell 20 Jun 1689; d. Bet. 1734 and 1736 in Tortola Island).

Rebecca Walton Cooper, came from this line. After Daniel Walton came his son Benjamin Walton and wife Rebecca Homer, then Benjamin Walton and wife Abigail Gilbert, then Joseph Walton and wife Sarah Bell Wallace, and then, finally, Rebecca Walton.

Children of Joseph Walton and Sarah Bell Wallace included: Abner Gilbert Walton, born 1804; Elizabeth 'Betsy' Ann Walton, born 1809; Benjamin Walton, born 1809; Rebecca Walton, born 1811; and Abigail Gilbert Walton, born 1814.

To be continued...

Neighbors at Pittsfield...and more family history

Rebecca and Joseph Cooper had some very good neighbors at Pittsfield, Illinois. Among them were the family - Abiah and Andasire (Hill) Curless who became 'in-laws' after Wm. Edward married two of their daughters, Rachel Ann (b. 05 Feb 1848; m. 22 Feb 1866; d. 15 Feb 1892) and Julia Ann Curless (b. 11 Oct 1869; m. 02 Mar 1893; d. 02 Sep 1899). Land records show Rebecca Cooper living in Section 15 of Pittsfield, IL. Other neighbors living near Rebecca at this time were A. Curless (Section 9 & 10), and Mr. Gerton (he was mentioned as having helped Rebecca cut her 75 acres of wheat). Joseph Merrick Bush lived in the neighborhood. He was the editor of the Pike Co. Democrat at that time. William A. Grimshaw lived nearby. He was an attorney and civil leader, and was the oldest son of William Grimshaw, the noted historical author. Apparently, back when horses were the mode of transportation, neighbors assisted each other and looked after one another. Your neighbors were most likely your social connections out in the rural areas. The same holds true in some cases today. 

Members of the Joseph and Rebecca Cooper family, in order of their birth, were: 

* Franklin J. Cooper: b. 13 Nov 1841; m. 29 Nov 1866 to Margaret 'Lizzie' Eliza Sweringen at Pike Co., Illinois; d. 14 May 1921 at Patoka, Marion Co., Illinois. Children listed for Franklin and Margaret were Marie (Mary E.) Cooper and P.W. Cooper. I have no dates or records to verify these births. Margaret Sweringen: b. Feb 1847; d. 11 Jan 1918.

*William Edward Cooper: b. 01 Jul 1845; m. to Rachel Ann Curless on 22 Feb 1866; m. to Julie Ann Curless on 02 Mar 1893; 07 Nov 1927. Rachel Ann Curless: b. 05 Feb 1848; m. 22 Feb 1866; d. 15 Feb 1892; Julia Ann Curless: b. 11 Oct 1869; m. 02 Mar 1893; d. 02 Sep 1899. Children listed for Wm. Edward and Rachel Ann are: *John Franklin Cooper: b. 22 Nov 1866; m. to Nora Evelyn Austin 15 Sep 1891; d. 09 Mar 1955. *Charles Cooper: b. 19 Feb 1868; d. 03 Mar 1868. *William Walter Cooper: b. 07 Sep 1870; m. 29 Oct 1893 to Ada Mae Staples; d. 30 Dec 1940. *Nellie Rose Cooper: b. 03 Oct 1872; m. [date unknown] William Mayclin; d. 09 Jul 1967. *Philander 'Rollie' Roland Cooper: b. 16 Sep 1874; m. to [date unknown] Katherine E. Rowe; d. 25 Feb 1960. *Milo Merton Cooper: b. 14 Jan 1877; m. [date unknown] Lydia Elizabeth Unknown; d. 12 Jun 1963. *Ada Lena Cooper: b. 27 Dec 1878; m. 12 Apr 1896 to Arthur T. Stafford; d. 17 May 1942. *Alta Cooper: b. 05 Dec 1880; d. 05 Feb 1881. *Alma Pearl Cooper: b. 06 May 1882; m. [date unknown] to Dr. Frank Rowland Molsberry; d. 10 Sep 1939. Children listed for Wm. Edward and Julia Ann are: Cecil Clayton Cooper: b. [I do not have a birth date for Cecil]; m. 08 May 1917; d. [Cecil is recently deceased, but I do not have his record at hand at this time] and Guy Sherman Cooper: [I have no records for Guy at this time.]

* Francis Marion Cooper: b. 18 Oct 1848 in; m. to Mary M. "Polly" Metcalf; d. 07 Jul 1910 at Santa Anna, Orange Co., California, USA (this date might be the date of his burial). He also served during the Civil War as a Private in Co. H, 137th Illinois Infantry. Mary Metcalf (b. 13 Mar 1854 at Alperton, Harrow, Middlesex, England; m. [do not have this date]; d. 22 Feb 1940 at Santa Ana, Orange, California, USA) No children have been discovered for this couple. Francis was 61 years of age at his death.

* Jacob Milton Cooper: b. 05 Sep 1850; m. 04 Sep 1873 to Josie C. Underwood; d. 1915 at the age of 74. Children of Jacob Milton and Josie were: *Duncan Milton Cooper: b. 08 Aug 1875; m. to Maude Serena Epperson 11 Sep 1901; d. 12 May 1978. *Frank Duane Cooper: b. 23 Jan 1880; m. to Della Bernice Hodgson 29 Sep 1906; d. 28 Mar 1953.

* Mary E. 'Molly' Cooper: b. Dec 1852; m. 17 Nov 1870 to James M. Sewell; d. 03 Jul 1935. Children of Molly and James were: *Viola May Sewell: b. Abt. 1876; d. [no known date], *Edith Sewell: b. Abt. 1879; d. [no known date], and *Mable Florence Sewell: b. 11 Sep 1881; m. 25 Nov 1903 to George Greer Maule; d. 12 Apr 1947.

* Nellie J. Cooper: b. [no birth date known]; m. to a Mr. McIntire [no date known]; d. 16 Feb 1901 at Knob Noster, Missouri. [I have no record of children for this couple]

The photo above is the family of Wm. Edward Cooper and children from the marriage with his first wife, Rachel Curless (she died at the age of 44). In the top row, left to right, are Philander Rollie, John Franklin, Nellie Rose, and Ada Lena. Seated are, left to right, William Edward, Milo Merton, Elma Pearl, and my grandfather, William Walter. The photo was taken in Sac City, Iowa, but I am not sure of the date. Since Alma Pearl is the youngest child in the photo, and her birth was in 1882, the photo may be about 1892, possibly after the funeral of their mother, Rachel Ann, d. Feb. 15, 1892.

Coopers in the military from the first emigrant - Joseph Thomas Cooper

The first member of our Cooper family who lived in America was Joseph Thomas Cooper (b. before 03 Jul 1757, with his baptism recorded at Warmfield Parish, St. Peter, in England, on o4 Jul 1757; d. 16 Jan 1825).

He is listed in the U.S. and Canada Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s, p. 23, as arriving in the year of 1776 at Pennsylvania. 

He is listed in the Pennsylvania Archives under Some German-American Participants in the American Revolution: The Rattermann Lists (German-American Genealogical Research, Monograph No. 27) McNeal, AZ: Westland Publications, 1990, p. 47. Joseph would have been 21 years of age at this time. 

The family story is that this ancestor came to America to fight against the English king in the American Revolution. (Gives you a clue as to how some Englishmen thought of their king...)

I have no other documentation as to how he fared in the Revolutionary war, but on the 2nd of December, 1776, Joseph T. Cooper and Martha Warren were parents of a baby boy, Joseph R. Cooper. Joseph R. was born in Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA, USA. 

Joseph R. Cooper was married to Mary Ackerman in 1810. 

He was a soldier in the War of 1812 with the 71st Regiment (Hutter's), in the Pennsylvania Military, where he served as a Private. (Taken from Microfilm Publication M602, Roll Box 46.)

Joseph R. helped to organize the Baptist Church in Griggsville, Illinois on August 4, 1834. He was a leader in the Ripley Church of God - Abrahamic Faith in Ripley, Illinois. The following excerpt is from a print-out in that church's records:

Joseph Cooper

"Of great interest  to descendants of members of the Ripley Church of God is the family of Joseph R. Cooper, a soldier of the War of 1812. He was born in 1776 and died in 1880, age 103. After the war, he migrated to Illinois and settled in Ripley, where many of his descendants still live and serve in the Ripley Church of God. He had a daughter, Mary, and also a son, Philander, who married Mary Robins, thus connecting them with that family. They had six children among whom were Lola (Clark), John Wesley (1874-1953) and Edwin (1862-1893).

      Edwin married Emma Clark. Their two children were Mary Myrtle Fey and Harvey. Edwin's daughter, Myrtle, married Wm. Fey and they had four daughters: Lucille, who married Herman Lewis and had five sons - Lyle, John, Dale, Arlen, and one deceased; Helen married Thomas Lewis and had one son, Harold Lee; Hildreth (now Webber) married Clarence Maddock and had a son, Darrell - Sometime later, Hildreth married Frank Wiorley and had another son, Richard; Mildred married Alfred Hetrick and they had two daughters, Reva Ingels Moore and Joan Mixer.

     John Wesley Cooper married Myrtilla O'Neal and had four children: Mary (married Loren Burnett), Edna (Hughes), Margaret (Ward), and Gerald L. Cooper. 

      This brings this family down to the living generation whom we all know (referring to the members of the present Ripley Church of God). Of particular interest are those who entered the ministry of the Church of God - Gerald Cooper (deceased), Francis Burnett, John Lewis (deceased), Darrell Maddock, and Richard Worley.

       Many of the descendants of Joseph Cooper are dedicated members of the Ripley Church of God and Churches of God in other areas of the U.S.

       *Myrtle Fey died on Christmas Eve in 1918 during the flu epidemic. She was only 34, leaving 4 young children. Their father, Wm. Fey, was a faithful man and raised these 4 girls active in the Church of God."

According to my records, Joseph R. Cooper and Mary Ackerman had 8 children - Sarah (b. 1812; d. 1875), Lieut. John Wesley (b. 17 Nov 1813; m. Sarah 'Sally' Jane Outcalt; d. 05 May 1883), Anthony Taylor (b. 1815; m. Polly Hartwick 29 Dec 1847; d. 1873), Joseph R. Jr. (b. 1819; m. Rebecca Walton, 1840; d. 12 Apr 1857), Mary Jane (b. Jun 1829 in Ohio), Philander A. (b. 23 Aug 1831; m. Mary Robbins; d. 24 Jan 1887), Francena (b. 1836 in Ohio), and Cynthia Ann (b. 28 Aug 1841; m. McNeil [?]; d. 14 Jan 1898). [Note: These children and their place of birth seems confusing, so more research needs to be done to verify the facts listed.]

Joseph R. Cooper died on March 10, 1880, and is buried in the Ripley Cemetery, Ripley, Brown Co., Illinois. 

On our recent trip (Fall of 2014) to Pittsfield, IL, we traveled to Ripley, Illinois. I was not able to locate the grave of Joseph R. Cooper, as it was nearly dark when we arrived at the cemetery there. Here are two stones on the grave of his son, John Wesley, and John's wife, Myrtilla.

Continuing correspondence between the two Cooper brothers...

Since the end of the war, Wm. Edward has married Rachel Ann Curless, the daughter of their neighbors at Pittsfield, Abiah and Andasire (Hill) Curless. The marriage took place on February 22, 1866 at Pittsfield. Wm. Edward was 21 and Rachel was 18. They eventually moved to Sac City, Iowa, and were parents of nine children: John Franklin (b. 22 Nov 1866; d. 09 Mar 1955); Charles (b. 19 Feb 1868; d. 03 Mar 1868); William Walter (b. 07 Sept 1870; d. 30 Dec 1940); Nellie Rose (b. 03 Oct 1872; d. 09 Jul 1967); Philander Rollie [Roland] (b. 16 Sept 1874; d. 25 Feb 1960); Milo Merton (b. 14 Jun 1877; d. 12 Jun 1963); Ada Lena (b. 27 Dec 1878; d. 17 May 1942); Alta (b. 05 Dec 1880; d. 05 Feb 1881); Alma Pearl (b. 06 May 1882; d. 10 Sept 1939). Rachel Ann died at the age of 44, on February 15, 1892, just ten years after the birth of her youngest child. 

Rachel's younger sister, Julia Ann Curless was born on the 11th of October, 1869 at Pittsfield, Illinois. She was married to Wm. Edward Cooper on the 2nd of March, 1893  in New Salem, Illinois (a year after the death of her sister Rachel). The couple moved to Sac City, Iowa, and there they continued raising the living children of William and Rachel, as well as two more children of their own - Cecil Clayton Cooper and Guy Sherman Cooper. Julia died at the age of 29 on Sept. 2nd, 1899 in Sac City, Iowa. 

                            William Edward Cooper (probably about 70 years of age)
                                                                        

Franklin had married Margaret Elizabeth (Lizzie) Sweringen (b. Feb 1847; d. 11 Jan 1918)  on Nov 29th, 1866 in Pike Co., Illinois. It appears that when he relocated to Patoka, Illinois, his mother Rebecca also moved to that town. Rebecca died in 1872, and is buried in the cemetery at Patoka.

The first letter of which I have a copy follows:

                                                          Patoka, Ill. Feb. 11th, 1887

Dear Brother Will,

       I have been under the weather a little since receiving your last letter, but am all right again. We have had a hard winter, cold and lots of snow, but now warm and very windy. Of course, it has not been cold here like you have, but 18 & 20 degrees is cold enough for me. Well, you have a nice family of Boys and Girls, and I am going to see them some day if we all live. I know that is all the way I will ever get Mary's forgiveness for not writing - by visiting her - and I am afraid that won't do it. They are making great preparations at St. Louis for the National Encampment. It will be the greatest ever held anywhere. Now, Will, commence right-off-now-at-once- to get ready to come. Bring all, if possible. The expense won't be much. R.R. fare will be low, and it will be a chance of a lifetime. St. Louis is worth a visit at anytime, but when they try, as they will during the Encampment, it will simply be immense! from here we can go, and come, every day if we want to. I am looking forward to the time very anxiously, for I want to see you awfull bad. I know we will have a good time. Squirrels and Hickory nuts - will be ripe about that time, on the river bottom.

        Well, Will, how do you like the Pension Bills that have passed Congress lately, and do you think the 'Sheriff' will sign them? did you get an increase, or have you heard from your application yet? My case still stands. have you found where Charlie Stewart is, and do you know anything of Ben F. Brannick of our old Co. or Pete Beamus? You remember Dry Hull, as they used to call him around Pittsfield. he lives next door to us here. he was a Capt. in the 99th Regt. a little while. he gets 20.00 dollars per month pension, and today applied for an increase. he works his patriotism for all it was worth.

        Lizzie is at church tonight, but told me to remember her to everyone of you. She is well. As I have no fine family of children to tell about, it is hard to make an interesting letter, as there is no news here that would interest you. but we came pretty near having a sensation last week. The Editor of our paper - like all other Editors, I suppose, likes his drink, and had been indulging pretty strong for some days and brought on a family row, and the "Jim Jams' so he tried to shoot himself. But, was discovered fixing his suspender to the trigger of the gun, in time to prevent his foolishness. So he still lives and tells lies. We have a Prohibition town, but liquor.... (the copy I have ends at this point...I assume he tells Wm. Edward that there is plenty of liquor available in spite of the prohibition laws).

                                                                          Patoka, Ills. March 2, 1899

Dear Brother Will,

       Your letter received yesterday, you and your wife have my sincere sympathy in your loss. (Not sure which loss Franklin refers to, but it may be the death of Guy Sherman Cooper, their youngest son - I don't have birth or death information on him, but since William's second wife, Julie, dies in September of the same year, I think it may be that Guy Sherman was born earlier that year, and died shortly after birth, and that Julia was not well after the birth - Franklin's letter refers to her poor health.) I am also sorry to learn your wife's health is so poor. this has been a very bad, hard winter on everybody in this lattitude. While I have never had such a loss as yours, I can have some idea, from that little mound that I showed you in our cemetery. (Franklin and his wife may have lost a still-born child, but I have no record of that.) But this world is full of trouble, and some days are crowded with it, only somehow we live on. Time kills the old sorrows and brings a new one. If it were not for hope, life would be dreary, and dark, indeed. I do not know how to write, so as to be of any comfort to you, but keep up good heart and devote yourselves all the more to those you have left. You have a family of children in whom you can justly take pride, and on whom you can lean in your declining years.

       I am living along in the same old way. I have bought the place that I had the mortgage on. Cost $25.00 and the mortgage. It is worth $400.00. Property is looking up a little here this spring. I am cheerful over my financial outlook. have been very well this winter. Will, send me Marion's address, I want to hear from him. I suppose you will not go back to Iowa untill the weather is pleasant. Mumps have been epidemic here this winter, but very little fatal sickness of any kind. Well, Will, I will close. Write me, and I think I will always answer promptly. love to you both,

                                                       Your brother, Frank

(Franklin was able to visit Will some time between these last two letters, and he brought a bottle of homemade liquor to share. Unfortunately, the liquor was not good - wood alcohol - and William became blinded from drinking it. After that time, he always needed help at home, especially after his second wife died, and his children had all grown up and left home. He hired a woman to cook and clean for him in his later years, and the following letter is received after that blindness had disabled him even more...)
                                                                      
                                                                   Patoka, Illinois, May 10, 1908
Dear Brother Will,
           Sac City, Iowa
                                           Some days ago I got a letter from Mollie, and will answer it by writing to you. Sis can read for you - that is if she can decipher my scribbling. Mollie tells me you are very well. I am glad of that. I had a letter from Pearle also - a few days ago. She writes very interestingly. Am told that Walter & family (my grandfather, grandmother, father and two aunts - they are probably at the time of this letter, living in South Dakota) are going to visit in Sac City awhile this summer. I should like to see all the folks there this summer, but think it not likely. My assistant - Miss Blanche Wilton (Mollie knows her) is going to marry, and of course leave the office. That means a new girl, and me tied close to the office for 5 or 6 months - pretty close. I do not intend to stay in this office longer than next March. That will make 8 years, and I want to take things easier then. I get 12 dollars pension now. It will help lots. Oh, yes - and I got some more back pay about a month ago. A lawyer in Washington dug it up for me, $26.26 - every little bit helps. 
          We are just fairly well. Lizzie had a great deal of trouble with her eyes since last fall. Was under a doctor's care for quite awhile. She is a good deal better, but she has to wear glasses all the time now.
           The weather has been very bad here this spring - rain & cold, has kept everything back. We had a freeze some time ago, that damaged the fruit prospects, but there is still some left. We will have some peaches. There is not much corn planted yet on account of the rains - nor much garden made. This burg is improving some little. Been several new houses built. Will soon have a brick and tile factory at work, and the material is being put on the ground for a canning factory. They will handle tomatoes, with a capacity of 40,000 cans per day. About 400 acres is being planted. Land has raised in value, is now worth from 40 to 75 dollars per acre.   
        The old soldiers whom you knew here are all hanging on, but some are very feeble, especially Dr. Rodgers.
         When I think of that summer, 44 years ago, and all that we went through, the wonder is that any of us are alive. It was what Roosevelt would call 'strenious' - don't you think? There is never a 4th of July but what that day at Smyrna, Ga. comes to my mind. It seems now like a dream, but it was very real then, wasn't it?
         Well, Will, I am intending to see you. Just as soon as possible. Maybe not till some time next year. Hope we will both live to visit again. Get Mollie to write to me anything you want to tell me.
          I will write oftener if I can interest you. Well, I will quit for this time, so goodby. Our love to all,
                                                                 Your brother,
                                                                          Frank
I have no documents or letters between the two brothers after the one above, written in 1908. I have nothing telling of any visits made between the two, but one always hopes they had a few more times to be together. Below is the obituary from the newspaper in Sac City, telling of the death and funeral for my great-grandfather, William E. Cooper who died Nov. 7, 1927 at the age of 83. My father's name, Wayne Cooper, appears among the list of other family members who were pall bearers and all relatives of William Edward.

William E. Cooper Dies in 83rd Year

Civil War veteran long had lived in a state of total blindness.

William E. Cooper, a Civil War veteran, died at his home in Sac City on Monday evening, Nov. 7, 1927 in his eighty-third year. The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon at the decendent's son-in-law and daughter, Dr. And Mrs. F. R. Molsberry, on Main Street. The Rev. E. E. Lister, pastor of the Christian Church, had charge of the service and delivered the discourse. B. G. Wallace, accompanied by Mrs. Fred C. Davis, sang "Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground" and "Crossing the Bar". The pall bearers were C. C. Cooper, Wayne Cooper, Marvin Peters, Robert Maule, Will LaPort, and Dr. F. R. Molsberry, all relatives of the decedent. Burial was made in Oakland Cemetery.

                                                                                 

                                                                       

Effects of Wounds; Continuing Life of Wm. Edward Cooper

The following is a partial listing of the results of William's wounds, and his life-long attempts to get fair compensation from the United States government as pension payments due to the nature of his wounds, and his inability to work a full day as a farmer, which was his occupation. According to the pension application records, Wm. Edward was only able to walk beside his team doing normal farm work for about half a day. After that period of time, his legs would swell and he would be unable to continue. So, in spite of the fact that he came back from the war alive, and was able to marry and have children, he was not able to support his family in a normal manner. I assume that as soon as his male children were old enough to work, they helped in supporting the rest of the family by assisting neighbors with their field work. I wish I had thought to ask my father more about this time and how his grandfather's family coped with his disability with so many children to feed. It is obvious from his marriage a year after Rachel's death to her younger sister, that he was in need of someone to help with his children and with running the household. Julia did not live a long life, either. So, Wm. Edward was once again left with small children to raise. At that time, he lived in Sac City, Iowa, as did several of his grown children, and I'm sure they all helped with taking care of the children and of him.

1.  Casualty Sheet of Wounded [07-04-1864]
     Wm. Cooper, Private, Company 'K', 16 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, at the battle near Atlanta, July 4, 1864
2.  Casualty Sheet [07-07-1864]
     Name: Wm. Cooper
     Rank: Private, Company 'K', Regiment 16 Arm. Infy., V.V., State Illinois
3.  Place of Casualty, Near Atlanta
4.  Nature of Casualty, Wounded slightly (in actuality, his wounds are described on a later document as follows: 'That while in said service, and in the time of his duty at the crossing of the Chattahoochee River on a march from Maryetta to Atlanta in the State of Georgia while in the State of Georgia on the fourth day of July, 1864, he was wounded in the following manner, hit with a musket ball. Said ball entered thru the right leg in the front part near the knee passing through into the left leg above the knee joint passing through into the left leg above the knee joint, passing outwards and backwards, severing the ligaments and tendons and permanently disabling him.
    That since leaving the service said applicant has resided at Pittsfield, County of Pike, and State of Illinois, and his occupation has been light farming labour at intervals.
     He makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the Invalid Pension Roll of the United States, by reason of the disability above stated; and hereby constitutes and appoints Richard M. Atkinson at Pittsfield, County of Pike, and State of Illinois his Attorney to prosecute this claim and procure a Pension Certificate. (Following lines show the expected annual income for farm work in 1870 and in 1920, and the monthly amount of Invalid Pension Wm. E. Cooper received from the government in both 1870 and 1920. Apparently being a soldier did not make one wealthy, even if you were wounded and suffered from those wounds for the rest of your life...)

1870 Net Cash Annual Income for a Farm: $220

1920 Annual Income for Farm Work: $850

1870 Monthly Military Invalid Pension for Wm. E. Cooper: $2 ($24 Annual)

1920 Monthly Military Invalid Pension for Wm. E. Cooper: $50 ($600 Annual)

The Cooper 'Civil War Sword'

The Civil War Sword

Above is the Civil War sword and scabbard now owned by my family. My father, Robert Wayne Cooper, often told us the story of how this sword was captured by his great-uncle Frank, as the story was related to him by his own grandfather, Wm. Edward Cooper, and his great-uncle Franklin J. Cooper.

Since we have no documentation regarding the taking of this sword, we can only verify that it is indeed a sword and scabbard manufactured at the time of the Civil War. It is a Union sword and scabbard, but the reader must understand that during the war, weapons, clothing and anything of use was often taken from the wounded or deceased soldiers on the battlefield, so many fighting men used weapons that were not originally issued to them. Apparently, this is one of those instances.

The story goes as follows: Uncle Frank (Franklin J. Cooper) eventually became a lieutenant in his unit, and as such was leading a small group of his men through the woods near a road in the Confederate south. If the actual location of this incident was ever told to my father, that information has been lost. 

The soldiers from the Illinois 16th heard some voices on the road near the wooded area, and Lieut. Cooper decided to confront the party of men. When the Union soldiers came out of the woods, they came upon a few Confederate soldiers, apparently led by a German mercenary who was in possession of this sword. Uncle Frank spoke to the German leader and said, "Give me your sword!" The man said to him, "By whose authority do you take my sword?" Uncle Frank responded by saying, "My musket is my authority!" (And, he took the sword....)

I do not know what happened to these men after this confrontation, but I'm assuming they were now prisoners of the soldiers of the Illinois 16th infantry, and were most likely given over to the next Union leader with whom they came into contact.

The sword is in quite good condition, although it has no unusual markings or information as to whom it originally belonged. It is not of any exceptional value, as it is one of the more common swords from the period. But, in our family, it holds a special place of honor as a symbol of the daring and courage of some of our ancestors during this conflict.

Rebecca writes a letter to Wm. Edward after she hears about his wounds...

1864

Pittsfield, Ill., August 5th

Dear son, we are glad you can begin to hop around some but do not exert too much or you may be injured and much longer getting well or getting home. We wish you were here but don't start until you are sufficiently able to take care of your self on the road. We have not got any letters from Franklin since we wrote to you and we are very anxious to hear from him for we have heard they had taken Atlanta and had lost 2,000 soldiers lately and 3,000 about the 27th of June. Franklin wrote the 11th of July and told us about you only told us about one leg and you said both. William Sharp said he thought I could not bear it all at once. I can bear to hear all that I am willing for you to endure. I hope soon to hear that Franklin is not killed for there is much danger and fighting of late and no one to write to me. I wish you were well and with him. I can't wait very patiently. I am so anxious to hear from him. Dear Boy, why doesn't he write do you think he is wounded. He may be or he would write. I hope he is well but where would they send him if he is wounded. If you hear tell me soon as you can about him. Was he barefoot when he left you on the 4th Or had he got shoes. I am sorry indeed but I hope that is the worst that has happened to him. We got 2 letters from Marion. Mary one and me one. He is well.

Milton is helping Curless' thrash. He sent his wife to see if he could get Henry for he can't find a horse to buy now so I let them have Henry. He is to thrash our wheat soon. He helped to bind it. Gerten cut it. Our corn is good but was not plowed but twice. Milton wants to go to you. He is too young and I think one should stay here. Marion says he is going to stay at home then I want Milton to go to a trade for Marion minded just as much what I said as Milton does so I think he better learn a trade.

I am getting tired writing. I just wrote one to Franklin and I was just the best pleased just now for Rachel Curless brought me 4 letters from you and one from Franklin wrote on the 25. He was well then but his writing did not look like he felt well for it was poorer than mine. Now don't think we don't go to the P.O. for Mary was there yesterday and William Brown was here. We have your Book too. Franklin said he was thinking of coming home to go to school next winter. I hope he will.

I must close this for I must send them in the morning by Mrs. Crone. My love to you dear boy. I did tell you about Marion if you got it. He is in Co. H. I will send you his letter.

Signed Wm. Cooper                    Rebecca Cooper
(Apparently, the family called Jacob Milton by his middle name - Milton.)

* * * * *

The following is from the discharge papers issued to Wm. Edward (William E. Cooper) on the 8th day of July, 1865, just 1 year and four days after his wounding in the Battle of Smyrna, GA.

 Copy of the Discharge Papers from the 16th Regular Illinois Infantry:

To All Whom It May Concern.

Know ye, That William E. Cooper, a private of Captain John M. Bryant Company (K) 16th Regular of Illinois Infantry, ____ volunteers, who was enrolled on the 22nd day of January, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Four, to serve three years or during the way, is hereby DISCHARGED from the service of the United States this Eighth day of July 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky by reason of Gen. Order No. 24 Army Tenn., June 28th, 1865 (No objection to his being reenlisted is known to exist.)

Said William E. Cooper was born in Madison Co., in the State of Illinois, is 18 yrs. of age, 5 ft. 5 1/2 inches high, Light Complexion, Hazel eyes, Light hair, and by occupation when enrolled a Farmer. Given at Louisville, Ky., this Eighth day of July, 1865.
        
                                R. Pabst
                                Capt. 10th Mich. Infantry
                                A.C.M. 2nd Div. 14th A.C.
Chas. D. Kerr
Lieut. Col. Comand'g
16th Ill. Infantry, V.V.

Soldiering...

The Union Flag during the Civil War...carried often into battle with the troops.

William Edward Cooper, Private, 16th Illinois Infantry, Co. K 

This photo is of my great-grandfather, William E. Cooper, most likely taken at enlistment in January of 1864.

The two brothers may have actually heard Abraham Lincoln speak during the time when he was at the courthouse in Pittsfield, Illinois working on his cases as a lawyer prior to his election to the presidency. Pittsfield has many connections to Lincoln, and the town proudly displays and celebrates those connections.

* * * * *

(Notice the date of this letter. It must not be accurate, since Wm. Edward is speaking of life in camp before he was wounded on July 4th, 1864. I am not certain why the letter has the date of Sept. 22nd, 1864 at the top, but the note suggests that the original was written during the month of May, 1864.)

Atlanta, Ga.

Sept. 22nd 1864           (Transcribed from worn records) May 2, 1864 thru June 1, 1864

From William Cooper to his mother

Dear Mother

        Having just received yours of the 12th I will answer it in a short note. I have been wanting a letter to answer for several days as I have nothing else to do, and I would rather write to you than anyone I know. A soldier is always thinking of his Mother first and I believe that a soldier loves his Mother and sister better than any other man does. I speak of them as a general thing. I am sorry to say that some do not even respect anybody. I was very glad to get your letter today as I always am but everything is so dull her now that we look anxiously for anything to break the dullness. For the last four months we have lived in one constant strain of excitement, and to be let down all at once, in peaceful camp life is like putting a fellow on half rations. We have done nothing since we came here, except to clean up our camp - fix our selves comfortable and stand Picket once, and there was not a rebel within five miles of us, but I don't complain of a scarcity of rebels, for I have seen enough of them this summer to do me. I have been around town some little and am thoroughly disgusted with the place, nevertheless the city of Atlanta is a nice place. Not great for fine homes. But it is great for the endless fortifications and extensive preparation made to keep out us Yankee Vandals. But we got in some how. I guess the Rebel General Hood could tell how we done it and the chivalrous Confederacies got out the best they could, not even staying to get their 'rights' which we have been trying to give them all summer. There is not much said here in regard to politics. The Chicago Convention is hooted at. Their platform don't take snit-Sagers, on nearly every tent can be seen the familiar name of "Old Abe" The men have all the same opinion on the war, that is, to fight it out, and not offer any terms to any traitor, but force them to lay down their arms and ask us on what terms peace can be had. This is what every man thinks. We have suffered too much and lost too many brave boys to give up to traitors now, when we are so near a victorious end - for the end is not far off. Mother in order to give you a better idea of what we have went through with this summer, I will go back to the time we left Rossville, Ga. It was a bright Monday morning the 2nd day of May 1864. We broke camp at sunrise and marched in the direction of Dalton to meet the rebel army, which had concentrated there. The bands played lively time and our colors floated gaily on the cool morning air and many a brave lad stepped off proudly to the tap of the drums that morning who now fills a soldiers grave or is laying in some hospital - mangled and suffering. We marched 8 miles that day to Ringgold. Stayed there until the 5th then moved on. Up to this time we - that is - the Army of the Cumberland were by ourselves. On the 7th we found the enemy in strong force about 4 miles from Dalton and had a pretty sharp skirmish. Here we were joined by the 'Army of Ohio' which is the 23rd Army and commanded by Gen. Schofield. We were also joined by the 'Army of the Tennessee' composed of three Corps. The 15th Corp Gen. Dodge commanding. The 16th corps Gen. Logan commanding. The 17th Corps Gen. Blair commanding. The whole three corps commanded by Maj. General McPhearson and numbering about 30,000. Our own army the veterans of Stone River - Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge is composed of the 4th Corps Gen. Howard commanding 27,000 strong. The 14th Army Corps - men who were never whipped is 20,000 strong Gen. Palmer commanding. The 20th Army Corps Gen. Hooker in command 18,000 strong. The three last Corps are commanded by the 'Old War Horse' Gen. Thomas, and the whole army of one hundred and twenty thousand is under Maj. Gen. Wm. T. Sherman commanding the military division of the Mississippi. The best soldiers alive - in my humble opinion. The rebs had a strong position among the mountains which is impossible for me to describe. Our Regt. was under fire of the rebel sharpshooters and artillery for two days and nights - but only had one badly and one slightly wounded. Gen. Sherman took the 'Notion' to Flank them out of their stronghold. This consists in going around the enemy and cutting off his supplies - unless he retreats or comes out and attacks the flanking party, in this case the rebels chose to attack us, which they did in  a pass in the mountains called 'Snake Gap.' The 20th Army Corps lost 800 men but whipped the rebels and they fell back to Resacca, a town 12 miles south of Dalton on the R.R. This was about the 11th of May. The Army got into positions and on the 13th a very hard battle was fought and the rebels driven inside their works. At midnight on the 13th the rebels made a desperate charge on our line in the main hope of breaking our line, but they were driven back with terrible slaughter and by daylight the rebel army was in retreat. We were within musket shot of the rebs all the time. We had no blankets and were short of rations and had no chance to cook what we had. Of course we could not go to sleep for the enemy were so close that before a line could be formed they could be upon us. To make the thing pleasant the rebs would occasionally send a shell screaming over our heads or a half dozen musket balls would Spat against the trees - close around. Our company did not lose anyone here. Well, after the rebs retreated our division was sent to Rome 30 miles distant - South West. On the 17th of May, after marching all day we came upon the rebs again and our Co. had a very spirited fight with the rebel cavalry, driving them for over a mile in handsome style to their breastworks. night came on and we had to stand the Picket guard. We had marched about 15 miles that day carried our Knapsacks and fought a small battle between sundown and dark - and to mend the matter it sent in a rainy night. You can imagine how we felt the next morning. I had not eaten a mouthful of food since daylight the morning before and were as wet as wharf rats. Well the rebs concluded that things would get too hot for comfort if they stayed so about noon on the 18th they started Southward. All this time the rest of our Army was close after the main rebel force that had retreated along the Rail Road. There is too Rivers at Rome which we crossed on Pontoon Bridges as the rebs had burned the  wooden ones. We stayed in this vicinity until the 25th. Here we parted with our comrades that didn't re-enlist. It was a sad parting and more than one old soldier drew a blouse sleeve across his eyes and shook hands in silence, not daring to trust his voice to speak. We started at daylight on the 25th. We were in  line ready to march - the bugle sounded - and amid the shouts and good wishes of the boys whose time was out we moved in a Southern direction and for two days we marched on in some of the roughest country I ever seen. We had another struggle for the mastery, there we under fire again for four days. We built breastworks here to protect ourselves from the musket balls. This is near a town called Dallas. We were pretty comfortable here as the weather was good and we had rations, but the suspense and excitement of the thing was enough to wear out mens lives.

* * * * *

These signs document the battles near the Chattahoochee River, and the lower photo describes the Battle of Ruff's Mill (the other end of the defense line from the Smyrna location), on the day that Wm. Edward was wounded.

* * * * *
(Testimony from the Notary Public who verified the statement sworn by John M. Bryant who was in command of the 16th Illinois Regiment Volunteers, Co. K when William Edward Cooper was wounded,  in an effort to obtain pension monies for Wm. Edward in the year 1898. The testimony gives a description of the seriousness of Wm. E's wounds, and of the fact that his brother did indeed take him out of the battle. It also describes the remainder of his service before his honorable discharge.)

 Personally appeared before me, this 13th day of August 1898, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, John M. Bryant, a reputable person to me known, who being duly sworn on his oath says: "During the Rebellion I was in command of Company K, 16th Reg. IL Volunteers, 1st Brigade 2nd Div. 14th Army Corps; that William E. Cooper, a member of said Company, in a skirmish near the Chattahoochie River in the State of Georgia, on the 4th day of July 1864 was wounded through both legs above the knees. I was with him when he was wounded and remember that his brother carried him off the field to the hospital, where he remained, unable to report for duty from the effects of his wounds, until the following spring when he rejoined the Company and Regiment at Goldsboro NC and later on was detailed as Orderly at Division headquarters. I am not interested, directly or indirectly, in the results of this claim. My Post Office is Number 121-123 Kinzie Street Chicago. 13 August 1898

* * * * *
Here are some photos from Pittsfield that demonstrate the town's close association to, and perhaps some of the community's members affection for, Abraham Lincoln.

Pike County Courthouse, Pittsfield, Illinois, 19th Century photo (this would have been the actual building at the time Rebecca and Joseph Cooper & family lived there)

More to come...