Polk Co. IAGenWeb

COOPER, ISAAC — One of the most worthy citizens that has made his home in Des Moines is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Otsego county, New York, on the 8th day of February, 1813. His father was a brother of the celebrated author and novelist, J. Fennimore. His boyhood and youth were spent in his native place, and his early life was that of a farmer boy. At the age of twenty he emigrated west, and arriving at Toledo, Ohio, found it a small town, containing only one store. He engaged in various occupations, at one time on the lakes, then a contractor on the Wabash and Erie canal, then in mercantile pursuits, in the latter of which he experienced serious losses. He decided to move west and recuperate his waning fortunes, and in company with a brother reached Fort Des Moines in 1845. He first settled in Delaware township, and made the first improvements in the township, and at that time there was but one house west of him (that of John Saylor), to the Pacific Ocean occupied by a civilized being, or north to the British possessions. He dug the first well in the township, and the first threshing machine in the county was brought in by Mr. Cooper, who did the threshing for this and the adjoining counties. The first reaping and mowing machine was owned by himself, Daniel Justice, and Peter Newcomer. In 1853 he moved from his farm and made his home in Des Moines until 1875, when, owing to impaired health, he went to California, and since that time has divided his residence between the two places. He was one of the first justices of the peace in Delaware township. On the 7th day of June, 1853, he was appointed chief clerk in the Register Department of the United States Land Office, an important position in those days, as the receipts were frequently twenty-five thousand dollars per day in gold. He is a good illustration of what economy and perseverance can accomplish. He came here with small means and has always been prudent in his expenditures and richly merits the success which has attended his career. He has been twice married; first to Miss Caroline Armstrong, on the 26th of November, 1839, a native of Pennsylvania. She died on the 23d day of July, 1871 leaving four children: Frances E. (now Mrs. Hnbbell), Caroline F. (now Mrs. Grinn), Alice (now Mrs. Thompson), and Fennimore C. Mr. Cooper married for his second wife Miss Charlotte M. Mann, in 1872. She is a native of Massachusetts.