Cooper, Thomas bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 424; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Thomas Cooper, of the firm of Cooper & McMahon, ranks exceedingly high in the business circles of Canton, Fulton County, Ill., and in company with his partner, James T. McMahon, is conducting a thriving livery business in that place. He was born in Brig, Lincolnshire, England, on the 7th of March, 1849, his parents being Thomas and Emma (Oglesby) Cooper, both of whom were English by birth and education and has always resided in that country. The father died while Thomas was still an infant, and the mother married George Jackson, after which event the family emigrated to the United States, while the subject of this sketch was in his sixth year. The mother died in Canton. To his parents were born four children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are, William, who resides in St. Louis, Mo., and our subject. Mr. Cooper spent the days of his childhood in Fulton County, and received a good education in the schools of Canton. He engaged in various occupations until the month of September, 1880, at which time he formed the partnership above mentioned. Mr. Cooper married Miss Maggie A. Turner in July, 1884. She is a native of Fulton County and a daughter of Horace and Mary E. Turner. To them has been born one child, Horace T., whose birth occurred October 28, 1889. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a gentleman who is highly respected both in business and social circles for his pleasing manners, strict integrity and generosity. The firm of which he is a partner is one of the oldest and best known in the county, both because of fine horses and conveyances which are always kept on hand, and because of the popularity of the proprietors.