Anna Mary Cooper

COOPER, GUTHRIE, SAVAGE

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 6/27/2006 at 21:07:52

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 21, 1927

Mrs. R. H. Cooper Dies

Resident of Winterset for Almost 50 Years Passes to Her Reward

Mrs. R. H. Cooper, who has been in poor health for some time, died Monday, April 18th, at her home on West Jefferson Street. Mrs. Cooper was eighty-three years of age, Saturday, the 16th of April, and on that day, she and Mr. Cooper observed their 55th wedding anniversary. She has not been well for over a year and a half. In the autumn of 1925 she fell and broke her hip, and she has been ill since then. Two weeks ago she became worse, falling into stupor, from which she only partially rallied.

Mrs. Cooper was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 16 1844, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Savage. She was married in 1872and they made their home in Beaver, Pennsylvania, until in 1879, they came to Winterset where they have since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have raised a family of six children, five of whom have survived the mother. They are as follows: Esther, who is professor of English at the Iowa State College at Ames; Mrs. S. R. Guthrie at Garden City, Kansas; Ralph, who is chief engineer of the Fort Dodge, Des Moines, and Southern Railway at Boone; Robert S., a dentist at Winterset, and William S., who is judge of the 5th Judicial district, and also makes his home at Winterset. Funeral services were conducted at the First Presbyterian Church, Wednesday afternoon, at 2:30 o’clock by Rev. W. Z. Allen of the United Presbyterian church. Interment was made in the Winterset cemetery.
_______________________

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 21, 1927
Page 4

Anna Mary Savage was born in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1844. She passed away at her home in Winterset, Iowa, April 18, 1927, at the age of eighty-three years. Her parents were of Scotch Covenanter stock, her ancestors having settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1680.

Left motherless at the age of three she was especially devoted to her father and to an infant brother, both of whom died while she was still a young girl; the brother giving his life in the war of the rebellion at the age of sixteen. From that time until her marriage, the homes of her older married sisters were open to Minnie, as she was called, and the sons and daughters of those homes still bless her memory.

After attending school in her own community, she entered Beaver college, in Beaver, Pennsylvania, at that time a women’s seminary. Later she taught in the public schools of Beaver and in the Soldier’s Orphans home in Davenport, Iowa.

On April 16, 1872 she was married to Robert Hamilton Cooper, of Beaver, Penn., and together they were privileged to spend fifty-five beautiful years. Answering the call of the west in 1879 they removed to Winterset, Iowa, where they have since resided. Of the six sons and daughters, only one, Harry W., preceded his mother in death. Those surviving are Judge William S. of Winterset, Elizabeth (Mrs. Samuel Guthrie) of Garden City, Kansas, Esther of Ames, Dr. Robt. S. of Winterset and Ralph L. of Boone. These with her aged husband and her nine grand children revere the memory of one who was a wonderful example of Christian womanhood whose life was an inspiration, whose prayers were ever a source of strength and comfort.

While devoted to her home and family, she was the soul of hospitality and as long as she was physically able enjoyed opening her home to her own and her children’s friends. Only one within the home realizes the numbers who have sought her counsel and have gone away strengthened by her clear insight into their problems and her sane advice.

Few persons bounded chiefly by the four walls of a home have had a wider horizon. She was interested in world affairs, and almost an authority on missions. A thorough Bible student she had memorized large portions of the Scriptures and could repeat most of the Psalms; she loved the church, having been a communicant of the United Presbyterian faith in girlhood and later of the Presbyterian. Work for her church she considered a privilege rather than a duty.

After many years of frail health, Mrs. Cooper was crippled by a fall more than a year ago. Throughout this illness, as before, she was uncomplaining and patient, endearing herself to those who attended her. She always considered the comfort of others, rarely her own.

A life of physical weakness, but spiritual strength, was mother Coopers. She rests from her labors and her works do follow her.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen