Yolo County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....COOPER , Stephen May 16 1890 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/ca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Peggy B. Perazzo pbperazzo@comcast.net September 22, 2004, 10:30 pm “Winters Express,” Saturday, May 24, 1890 Major Stephen Cooper As announced last week, Major Stephen Cooper died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. J.R. Wolfskill, near Winters, May 16th, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Sunday morning last his body was taken to Colusa for interment in the plot where are buried the remains of members of his family who have gone before, the funeral services being conducted at the Christian church by Rev. Mr. Blake. Many relatives and friends from Oakland, Winters, and other parts of the State were in attendance, the church and town bells were all tolled, and a man known and beloved throughout the length and breadth of the whole State was consigned to his last narrow bed. Major Cooper was among the last of the hardy frontiersmen who did so much to mold the destinies this nation. He was one of the twelve veterans remaining of the War of 1812, as he told us only a few days before his death. He had a remarkable good constitution, and up to within a few days of his death was very active. Stephen Cooper was a son of Sarshel Cooper, who was a native of Virginia, and one of the first settlers of Kentucky. Stephen was born March 10, 1797. In 1807 his father moved to Howard county, Missouri. Major Cooper's father was a captain in the War of 1812, and he, only fifteen years old, was a private in his father's company. This company was in command of General Henry Dodge, afterward United States Senator from Wisconsin. Captain Sarshel Cooper was killed by a shot fired at him by Indians while sitting at the fireside. At the close of the war in 1815 Major Cooper was one of the leaders in the first party to open the Santa Fe trail in 1822 and 1823. The march from Missouri was through a trackless waste, never trod by civilized man, and the country was filled with hostile Indians. He was captain of thirty men. He was in the Blackhawk war in 1833; in 1837 he and Major Bearcroft were commissioned to work on the northern boundaries of Missouri. He was Indian Agent at Council Bluffs during the Administration of Can Buren. In 1844 he was a member of the Missouri legislature. In 1845 he married Miss Tate, who died a few years ago. In 1845 he started across the plains with General Fremont, but accompanied him only as far as the Arkansas river. In 1846 he came to California. In February, 1847, he presided over the first meeting ever held by Americans in California, at Yerba Buena, now San Francisco. In the fall of 1847 he moved to Benica, and was appointed by Governor Mason Alcade. He voted three times for General Jackson. During all his life he was true to the Democracy. He carried the vote of California to Washington for Hancock. In 1854 he moved to Colusa. He had five children, twenty-one grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. * * * * * * * Dead Yesterday morning Major Stephen Cooper passed away to the silent majority. The deceased was ninety-five years of age at the time of his death. Peace to his soul. Out of respect to his memory, the picnic which was to have taken place today, has been postponed. (Article from the “Winters Express,” Saturday, May 17, 1890) * * * * * * * Paralyzed Major Stephen Cooper, a pioneer of 1846 and a veteran of the war of 1812, was stricken with paralysis in the left side, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. J.R. Wolfskill, on Friday of last week, and has been confined to his room since. Owing to the Major's advanced age - ninety-five years - it is feared he will not entirely recover from the stoke, although he has improved somewhat since taken down. He has perfect use of his mental faculties, and his right side, but is unable to move about, which is very trying to him, as he has always been very active. We hope he will speedily recover. (Article from the “Winters Express,” Saturday, May 10, 1890.) Additional Comments: Submitted with the permission of the “Winters Express,” 312 Railroad Ave., Winters, CA 95694. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/obits/gob1739cooper.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb