Merced-Fresno County CA Archives Biographies.....Cooper, Walter B. 1861 - 
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Author: John Outcalt (1925)

WALTER B. COOPER

   A citizen of much worth, Walter B. Cooper is highly esteemed by all who know
him. Since coming to Gustine in 1907 his influence has been felt in the
upbuilding of the best interests of the town and he has won a position of
prominence among the representative men of the community. He was born in Berlin,
Wis., on March 11, 1861, a son of George and Lucy M. (Frankish) Cooper. George
Cooper was born in Derbyshire, but reared in Nottinghamshire, England, was a
wagon-maker by trade and came to the United States in 1848, landing in Buffalo,
N. Y. He removed to Rochester, Wis., where he followed wagon making. Still later
he went to Berlin, Wis., and engaged in the wagon and carriage making trade; he
built 3000 wagons in Berlin, and he was the inventor of the hub machine used in
turning out wooden hubs for wagons and which was very generally adopted and used
by wagon manufacturers throughout the United States. In connection with his
trade he built a sawmill, at that time the largest in the State, at Winneconne,
Wis., operating it successfully. His wife came from Lincolnshire, England. The
Cooper family left Wisconsin and settled in Mantorville, Minn., where the father
continued his wagon and carriage manufacturing. One year later he lost his
factory by fire, and in 1865 the family settled in Kasson, Minn., where Mr.
Cooper operated a manufactory. Sixteen children were born to this worthy couple,
of whom but four survive, namely: Frank M.; Tryphena, now the wife of William
Hall; Minnie, now Mrs. Anderson; and Walter B., our subject. In 1884 the father
retired from active business cares and in July of the same year passed away at
the age of seventy-one, the mother lived to be seventy-five years old, passing
away in 1894.

   Walter B. Cooper received a grammar and high school education in the schools
of Kasson, Minn., and while growing up learned the wagon and carriage-making
trades. After his father's death he took charge of his eighty-acre farm in
Minnesota, which he conducted for one year. After leaving the farm he opened up
a paint shop in the building formerly occupied by his father. In 1904 he came to
California and first located at Fresno, where he followed the painter's trade
three years. Then he located in Gustine and that year built the first section of
his paint shop and as his business expanded, the following year he built another
section; he has since followed painting contracting and enjoys a good business
in his line. He is an inventor of note, having five valuable inventions to his
credit. He is now working on a new electric sign and four other inventions.

   At Kasson, Minn., April 28, 1900, Mr. Cooper was married to Miss Lydia G.
Johnson, native of Sweden, daughter of Peter and Caroline (Hallstrom) Johnson,
farmer folk in their native land of Sweden. There were ten children in this
family: Emma C.; Maria W., deceased; Albert; Alfred; Johannes; Lydia G., wife of
our subject; Trofit; Axel, deceased; Leonard, deceased; and Hjalmar, deceased.
Both parents are now deceased. Mrs. Cooper received her education in the public
schools of Sweden. Upon her arrival in the United States she located in
Nebraska, then resided in Cheyenne, Wyo., and later in Big Timber, Mont. In 1899
she returned to Sweden for a visit, remaining for one year, when she came to
Kasson, Minn., and the same year was married to Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper is a
Republican in politics, and fraternally is affiliated with Romero Lodge No. 413,
I. O. O. F. of Gustine. Mrs. Cooper is a member of the Rebekah Lodge of Gustine.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
WITH A
Biographical Review
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
JOHN OUTCALT

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925


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