Cooper, W. S.

COOPER

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 12/1/2008 at 14:00:18

W. S. Cooper

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.15, Council Bluffs)
Cooper & McGee, hardware and stoves, Council Bluffs. H. G. McGee was orn in Grafton, W. Va., April 26, 1858; he removed to Pittsburgh, Penn., with his parents when eight years of age, and was educated at Western University of Pittsburgh, Penn. He came to Council Bluffs in the spring of 1874, and engaged with Miller & Company in hardware store as salesman, adn remained with that firm until forming his present partnership. He is if Irish descent. W. S. Cooper was bornh and raised in Council Bluffs, and educated in the public schools of that city. After leaving school he worked for Empkie & McDoel, hardware dealers, as salesman, for two years. He then became bookkeeper for P. C. Devol, hardware merchant, and held that position until entering the present firm. His ancestors came to America many generations back. The firm of Cooper & McGee commenced business in Council Bluffs in March, 1882, at No. 41 Main street, their store occupying two stories seventy feet long by twenty-two feet in width. The lower story is occupied by the hardware and stove department; part of the upper story is used as a tin shop, while the other part is used for storing goods. They carry from $10,000 to $15,000 in stock, and expect to increase that amount. Their annual sales, from present indications, will run as high as $30,000. They employ two practical tinners the year round.