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.
No comments:
Post a Comment