[p. 1004] who passed off the scene of life February 18, 1900, after years of eminent service in behalf of his fellow-men, was one of the most advanced physicians and surgeons of New Castle. His whole early life was passed in the vicinity of this city, his birth having taken place on the family estate, in Taylor Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, only two miles distant from New Castle, on February 13, 1861. His parents were Robert L. and Nancy A. (Jackson) Cooper.
The late Dr. Cooper was proud of the fact that he could claim Irish ancestry, and in his temperament and person he inherited traits of his sterling forefathers. His great-grandfather, Robert Cooper, was born in County Down, Ireland. In 1790 he emigrated to America and established his family in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In 1843 James Cooper, son of Robert and grandfather of Dr. Cooper, removed to Lawrence County, bringing with him a family of seven children, one of these, Robert L. Cooper, subsequently becoming the father of the late Dr. Cooper.
Robert L. Cooper was born in 1823, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents to Lawrence County in 1843. He subsequently acquired a large amount of valuable limestone land, and for many years was engaged in operating quarries on the same. He died in 1892, leaving an ample estate. He married Nancy A. Jackson, and they had the following children: James H., Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell, Leander, Dr. Joseph L., Charles O., Mrs. Mary Caldwell, Mrs. Maud Davis, and Edwin S., a physician.
After taking advantage of all the local educational opportunities Joseph L. Cooper pursued more advanced courses of study both at Grove City Academy and at the Edinboro State Normal School. He then seriously devoted himself to the study of medicine. During the remainder of his life he never lost enthusiasm for his beloved science, and by personal investigation, lecture and pen vastly assisted in hastening the remarkable triumphs of medicine and surgery. In the class of 1884 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, and at once started into practice. With the exception of one year spent at New Springfield, Ohio, Dr. Cooper's professional efforts were mainly confined to New Castle. He was known as an able and trustworthy physician, but it was as a surgeon that he won greater reputation and in that capacity had calls from and consultations in many sections distant from his home. He was active in the work of the Lawrence County Medical Association and served as its president in 1896. His remains rest in the quiet of Greenwood cemetery. Dr. Cooper was married in 1887 to Adella Hoover, who was born at New Castle and is a daughter of Ephraim Hoover, who for many years was prominent in the iron industry in this city. Mr. Hoover resides with his daughter, Mrs. Cooper, at No. 462 South Mill Street, New Castle. Although he has reached his eighty-fourth year, he retains all his faculties and is a very familiar figure in the city, participating in and enjoying its pleasant social life.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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