John W.
Cooper
John W. Cooper, Clerk of the Circuit Court, was born in Rush
County, Ind., July 18, 1837. He is the son of Stanley and Lucinda
(Ward) Cooper, both natives of Kentucky . They are still residents of Rush
county, living on the same farm. John W. was reared on the farm, and
received a fair education in the common schools. He also studied three
terms at an academy. When he left the farm, he read law with J.
C. Green, of Shelbyville, Ind., for one year, and in 1859 he was admitted to
the bar. The following year he remained at home and pursued the study of
law. November 6, 1859, he was married to Miss Fannie M. Simmons,
born October 14, 1840, daughter of Augustus Simmons, of Rush
County. The result of this union has been one son: Horace M.;
and two daughters: Flora H. and Linea A.
Mr. Cooper began the practice of law in Howard County, in October, 1860, and
continued in active practice until 1875, when he took the office of Clerk of the
Circuit Court, having been elected on the Republican ticket in 1874. He
was re-elected in 1878, and has served nearly eight years. He was Mayor of
the city of Kokomo four years -from 1869 to 1873. He has been an active
politician all his life, and has been Deputy Internal Revenue Collector.
He came here with limited means, but, through strict attention to his
profession, he has accumulated good city property, and is in good
circumstances. He is a leader in all public enterprises and improvements,
and belongs to the Masonic and I.O.O.F. fraternities.
Counties of Howard and Tipton, Indiana, "City of Kokomo," F.A. Battey & Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1883
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
Biography Index
Main Page