Benjamin Cooper 1857-1915

COOPER, TERRELL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

14 May 1915 - The Clinton Advertiser page 5

THE COOPER FUNERAL (Communicated)

Benjamin Franklin Cooper was born about Dec. 15, 1857 at Marion county, Mo. He came with his parents to Illinois when but a small boy, and it was in that state he received his early schooling in the public schools of Mt. Marion. From Illinois he came to Clinton and worked and later began his apprenticeship in a pharmacy in 1889, being the first colored person to receive that distinguished degree in the state of Iowa. He later worked in the coal mines in Muchakinock a short while. He then went to Omaha and worked as a drug clerk and saved money and returned to Muchakinock, Ia., and opened a drug store. He was very successful. He moved to Buxton, Ia., about 1900, where a part of the town was named Coopertown in his honor. He here continued a successful business until his last illness. He was married in September, 1913 to Miss Lessie Terrell of Colfax, Ia. To this union was born on son, Benjamin Franklin, Jr., Oct. 3, 1914. In the beginning of his last illness he went to the Hot Springs, Ark., and on his return trip was stricken and died in St. Louis, Mo., at 3:30 p.m. May 11, 1915. He was a member of the following orders: Masons, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows and Elks. He leaves to mourn his demise a mother, wife, one child, a sister, two brothers, one uncle, one aunt, one cousin and a host of friends. Characterized by great and tender love for mother and sister and unbounded love and tenderness for his home, wife and infant son.

There were twenty-six out of town people at the funeral. The grand master of Iowa, John L. Thompson of Des Moines, A.F. & A.M., Attys. Geo. Woodson and Spears and Dr. E. A. Carter were the guests of M. O. Culberson, Geo. O. Terrell, D.G.M. of the Odd Fellows of Colfax, Iowa, was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Holland Williams. Rev. S. B. Moore, presiding elder, was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Henderson.