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July 8, 1902, at Washington, Kansas; and Erdene, born January 6, 1910, at Kansas City, Missouri.

Mr. Cook is a Protestant. He is a member of the Rotary Club, the Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Residence: Ogallala.

Harold James Cook

Harold J. Cook, consulting geologist, ranchman and naturalist, was born at Cheyenne, Wyoming, July 31, 1887, son of James Henry Cook, noted naturalist (see Nebraskana). James H. Cook was born at Kalamazoo, Michigan, August 26, 1858; and is directly descended from Captain James Cook, the famous British explorer and navigator, who discovered the Hawaiian Islands, Cook's Inlet, etc. He married Kate Graham who was born at Three Rivers, Michigan, June 28, 1867. She is a woman of remarkable ability and many accomplishments. Her ancestory is English, Irish and Scotch.

Harold J. Cook received his early education in country schools in Kansas and in home training and private tutelage. He attended Lincoln High School and Lincoln Academy. During 1906-07 and 1908, he studied at the University of Nebraska, and during 1909-10 at Columbia University Post Graduate School. He has been awarded honorary membership in Phi Sigma, and is a member of Delta Epsilon and Sigma Gamma Epsilon.

His marriage to Eleanor Barbour of Lincoln, Nebraska, took place October 13, 1910. There are four children of this marriage: Margaret, born October 17, 1911; Dorothy, born June 1, 1913; Winifred, born July 15, 1915 and Eleanor, born October 9, 1917. The children have all shown marked musical ability, have been honor students in the various schools attended, are athletic, and unusually versatile. Mr. Cook's second marriage was to Margaret F. Crozier, an educator, musician and naturalist of French and English descent.

A rancher in Nebraska since early boyhood, he has been a consulting geologist since 1916, making examinations of oil and mining properties for many concerns and individuals. He was honorary curator of the Colorado Museum of Natural History at Denver from 1926-28 and curator of palaeontology 1928-30. He is vice-president of the United States Land and Cattle Company of Cimarron, New Mexico, and cofounder with his father, James H. Cook, of the Cook Museum of Natural History at Agate. He is joint owner of the Agate Springs Ranch, and is a member of the advisory board of the Petroleum Research Corporation.

He is a charter member of the Nebraska State Park Board, and served six years. He has charge of educational work for the Colorado Museum in nature study, co-operating with the Denver city school administration officials. An author and lecturer of note he has written over fifty publication (sic) on geology, palaeontology archaeology, together with numerous popular and semi-popular articles in various magazines. His illustrated lectures include the subjects of fossils and fossil collecting, evolution, numerous phases of historic and commercial geology, the antiquity of man in America, and other related subjects. He is the discoverer, in Nebraska, of Hesperopithecus haroldcookii, oldest known near relative of the human race.

He carries membership in the following scientific and educational organizations: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Institute of Mining, and Metallurgical Engineers, Society of Economic Geologists and Palaeontologists, F. A. A., Palaeontological Society of America, Geological Society of America, American Association of Mammalogists, Colorado-Wyoming Academy of Science, Nebraska Academy of Science, etc. He holds honorary life memberships in the American Museum of Natural History, New York, the Archaeological Society of America, the American Naturalists Association, American Forestry Association, etc., etc. His social clubs are the Teknik and The Research Group, both of Denver. He resides at Agate. (Photograph on Page 264).

James Henry Cook

James Henry Cook, naturalist and ranch owner, was born at Kalamazoo, Michigan, August 26, 1858, the son of Elizabeth (Shaw) and Henry Cook. His mother, who died in 1860, was of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was English, directly descended from Captain James Cook, the famous Bristish (sic) navigator who discovered the Hawaiian Islands. A ship owner and captain, he was born at Portsmouth, England, came to America in 1836, and died at Menden, Michigan, December 10, 1910.

Mr. Cook, whose life work has been natural history research, has had interesting and varied experiences. As a boy, after the Civil War, he helped lay out routes and drive cattle over all important cattle trails north from Texas. He was guide and scout with the Texas Rangers in the early '70s; organizer and manager of a large ranch, transporting over 50,000 cattle into south western New Mexico, 1881-86; purchaser and builder of his present holdings at Agate Springs Ranch, Agate, Nebraska. This ranch was purchased and improved in 1887, and today is the site of the world-famous Agate Springs Fossil Quarries which were discovered by Mr. Cook in 1878. Together with his son, Harold J. Cook, he is co-owner and founder of the Cook Museum of Natural History at Agate.

He served as civilian scout for the United States troops in the Geronimo campaign in New Mexico, 1885-86, and was wounded in an Indian ambush in southwest Texas, in the early '70s.

On September 28, 1886 he was married to Kate Graham at Cheyenne, Wyoming. Mrs. Cook, who is of Scotch, Welsh and Irish descent, was born at Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Michigan, June 28, 1867. Two children were born to this marriage; Harold James, born July 31, 1887, who married Eleanor Barbour, and John Graham, born May 28, 1898, who died December 11, 1919.

Mr. Cook is the author of several books on natural history, among them: Fifty Years on the Old Frontier, published by Yale University Press; and Wild Horses of the Plains.

He was chairman of the Sioux County Council of Defense in Nebraska; and is associate companion of the Order of Indian Wars (medal); Winners of the West, camp number 11, at St. Joseph, Missouri; honorary member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of the Nebraska State Historical Society; Old Fort Laramie Historical Society; and the American Institute of Local Science.

Hunting and fishing are his favorite out of door sports, while his hobbies are: archaeology; vertebrate palaeontology; geology; collecting semi-precious stones. He has been a lecturer on Western American History; Indian Sign Language; Evolution as Illustrated in Fossil Vertebrates. Mr. Cook has lived in Agate for 43 years. (Photograph on Page 266).

LeRoy Edwin Cook

LeRoy Edwin Cook, manager of the Johnson Fruit Company, was born at Leigh, Nebraska, December 25, 1896, son of Elmer Beaver and Harriet Endly (Hiscox) Cook.

The father, born in Illinois, July 31, 1868, is the son

JAMES HENRY COOK

of John C. Cook, who was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and who was a veteran of the Civil War. Elmer Beaver Cook is a traveling salesman, land appraiser and collector. His wife, Harriet Endly, was born at Lisbon, Ohio, May 28, 1867, and died at Hastings, June 30, 1919. She was a school teacher and dressmaker. Her father, James Hiscox, was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England and came to the United States at the age of nineteen. He was trade-tailor and miller. Her mother was of Welch descent.

Mr. Cook attended public school at Craig, Leigh, Wayne, Norfolk, and Hastings, Nebraska, until 1910, and high school at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Shenandoah, Iowa, and Hastings, Nebraska, graduating in June, 1914. From September, 1914, until March 15, 1917, he was a student at Hastings College, where he was a member of Eta Phi Lambda and active in basketball, football and track. He was captain of the basketball team in 1916. Entering the mercantile business in 1920, he became manager of the Hastings Basket System No. 1 at the that time and since 1921 has been manager of the Johnson Fruit Company. He held the rank of first lieutenant in he 22nd United States Infantry during the World War and is a member of the American Legion. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational Church.

He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being past master of the McCook Lodge No. 135, the Scottish Rite Masons, and the Shrine, as well as the Y. M. C. A. and the Patime Tennis Club. His favorite sport is tennis.

On June 21, 1920, he was married to Audra Irene Wilkinson at Lincoln. Mrs. Cook was born at Avoca, Nebraska, February 18, 1897, and before her marriage was a school teacher in Lincoln. She is a member of the Eastern Star, being past matron, and an active member of the Congregational Church. Residence: McCook.

Virgil Harold Cook

Virgil Harold Cook was born at Unionville, Missouri, November 17, 1894, son of Stark John David and Ruth Ann (Comstock) Cook.

The father was born at Taylorville, Kentucky, May 8.. 1852, and died at Unionville, Missouri, October 2, 1902. He was a carpenter and a member of the police force. His wife, Ruth, was born at Unionville, Missouri, September 20, 1850, and died at Fairbury, Nebraska, June 25, 1923.

Mr. Cook attended the public school, and from 1919 until the present time has been in the express business. From 1913 to 1917 he was a carpenter, and before that for three years engaged in farming. He is a Republican.

On November 24, 1921, he was married to Minnie Uhlken at Crawford. Mrs. Cook was born at Crawford, February 14, 1900, of German ancestry. They have one son, Franklin Allen, born August 30, 1923.

During the late war Mr. Cook served in the United States Army as private first class in the 89th division. He participated in the following engagements, Lucey Sector, S. Mihiel, Eavezin Sector, and the Meuse Argonne. From 1924 until 1929 he was vice-commander of the American Legion and in 1930 was again elected to the same office, in which he still continues. He was adjutant during 1929 and 1930, and from 1922 until the Present time has been a member of the executive committee.

He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Moose, the Nebraskana Society, and the Volunteer Firemen, of which he is secretary at the present time. His favorite sports are football and hiking, while his hobby is reading. Residence: Crawford.

Willis Ellsworth Cook

Willis E. Cook, pioneer railroad man in Nebraska, as been a resident of this state for over 43 years. He was born at Marseilles, Ohio, February 3, 1867, the son of Simon Brown and Julia Cordileras (Hildreth) Cook. His father, a farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, October 10, 1840, and died at Marseilles, June 6, 1909. His mother was born in New York, August 1, 1842, and died at Marseilles, March 24, 1909.

Mr. Cook attended country schools and the public school at Marseilles where he was graduated from high school in 1886. Later he took a short business course at Lincoln, Nebraska. In the spring of 1891 he entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company as telegrapher at Exeter, Nebraska. He was transferred to Linwood, Nebraska, in 1892, and four months later was appointed agent at Nora, Nebraska, where he remained until 1905. For the next 20 years he was agent at Stanton, Nebraska, and in 1926, he was transferred to Hastings, Nebraska, where he is agent for the same railroad company.

He is a member of the Lion's Club, the Modern Woodmen of America, Young Men's Christian Association, the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, and the Red Cross. Mr. Cook served as president of the Red Cross during the World War, and is a member of the Sons of Veterans. He is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and holds membership in the Republican Party. While living at Stanton he was city clerk for 8 years resigning when transferred to Hastings.

His marriage to Nettle Belle Manning occurred at Exeter, Nebraska, August 24, 1892; she was born at Polo, Illinois, on December 7, 1868. To this union the following children were born: Loren, born June 21 1899, who married Janette Rasmussen; Enid, born May 8, 1901, who married Delbert Charles Irwin; and Paul, born September 6, 1908, who died March 16, 1911. Loren is a traveling salesman for the Carpenter Paper Corporation of Omaha, having been connected with this organization for the past 13 years. Enid is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University, and prior to her marriage was a music teacher, her husband is a chiropodist. Residence: Hastings.

Edward Lewis Cooley

Edward Lewis Cooley, son of Roswell Day and Mary Jane (Kile) Cooley, was born at Waverly, Nebraska, June 11, 1880. His father, born at Warren, Ohio, February 21, 1838, was a pioneer Nebraska farmer. His death occurred at Waverly, October 30, 1913. His wife, was born at Quebec, Canada, February 15, 1843, and died at Lincoln, May 30, 1915. A teacher before coming to Nebraska, her father was a blacksmith and inventor, and an operator for the underground railroad, assisting slaves to escape to Canada.

Educated in the public and high schools of Waverly, Edward L. Coolay was graduated in 1900, and thereafter attended the Nebraska School of Agriculture for a year. On February 27, 1906, he was united in marriage to Sally Edith Landis at Waverly. Mrs. Cooley was born at Strawn, Illinois, August 21, 1883.

There are six children, Marian, born June 21, 1907, who married Clarence A. Althouse; Margaret, born February 16, 1910; Lucille, born September 30, 1912, who married John C. Martin; Kathryn, born March 1, 1917; Betty Jean, born October 11, 1920, and Lewis, born February 26, 1926.

Mr. Cooley is a Republican and active in local politics. He was a member of the Congregational Church at Waverly until it was disbanded, and holds membership in the Red Cross, the Parent Teachers Association, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masons. His club is the Waverly Farmers Club and his hobby is reading. Residence: Waverly.

John Emerson Cooley

John Emerson Cooley, a farmer and ranchman near Clearwater, Nebraska, has resided in that community since 1882. He was born at Mineral, Ohio, December 7,

1870, the son of George Washington and Emretta Adalene (McGill) Cooley. His father, who was born at Albany, Ohio, February 29, 1848, is a farmer and rancher, and has spent a great deal of time and effort to promote public interest in welfare work.

His mother, who was vitally interested in all civic and welfare activities, was born at Athens, Ohio, on December 9, 1846, and died at Neligh, Nebraska, April 21, 1920. Her parents, who were of Scotch descent, were prosperous plantation owners in Virginia.

Mr. Cooley attended rural school in Antelope County, and was a student at Gates Academy at Neligh for a number of years. Later he studied at the University of Nebraska, and the agricultural school of the University of Iowa. He has taught in the public schools of Nebraska, but has spent most of his life in agricultural activities, always striving to build up the practical side of farming.

He is interested in promoting modern methods of farming and farm improvement, and has taken an active interest in educational, civic, political, and community affairs. Mr. Cooley is a member of the Farmers Union, the state and county fair associations, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a contributor to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Methodist Church. His hobby is helping young people, and his favorite pastimes are reading and mechanics.

On September 24, 1902, his marriage to Irena Melissa DePeel occurred at Clearwater, Nebraska. Mrs. Cooley, who was born at Sparta, Canada, March 5, 1880, is prominent in church work and affairs of the 4-H Club. She is descended from English and German ancestors on the maternal side, and traces her father's family to 1750 in France. They have a son, George Michael, who is married to Francis Elizabeth Hickman; he is a farmer. Residence: Clearwater.

Margaret Elizabeth Cooley

Margaret Elizabeth Cooley, nee McMurry, was born at Vincennes, Indiana, August 11, 1850, daughter of Albert and Sarah (McClure) McMurry. Her father, who was born in Green County, Kentucky, April 29, 1818, was a farmer of Scotch-Irish descent. He died at Waverly, August 7, 1879. His wife, Sarah, was born in Vincennes, Indiana, February 24, 1823, and died at Greeley, Kansas, about November, 1888. Of Scotch descent her family records show her ancestors as soldiers in the Revolution.

Educated in the public schools, Mrs. Cooley has been an outstanding citizen of Nebraska since October, 1869. On May 28, 1871, she was united in marriage to Richard S. Cooley, at Greenwood. Mr. Cooley was born in Johnson, Trumbull County, Ohio, July 29, 1842, and died at Waverly, August 3, 1928, after an active and successful life as a farmer. His ancestry is traced to the Pilgrims of Massachusetts and Connecticut.

There were born to this union five children, three of whom are deceased: Clarence Jay, born February 22, 1872, died October 5, 1895; Thomas Allen, born February 11, 1876, died January 7, 1897; Mae, born April 27, 1878, married Alvin J. Todd; Ella, born October 10, 1882, married George O. Tutton; and Nora, born July 31, 1891, died December 16, 1895.

Mr. Cooley was a veteran of the Civil War, having served with the 6th Ohio Cavalry, and Mrs. Cooley is a member of the Women's Relief Corps. She is affiliated with the Wavcrly Methodist Church, and is a member of the Red Cross, Ladies Aid Society and the Missionary Society. Her hobby is reading. Residence: Waverly.

William Coolidge

For the past 54 years William Coolidge has lived in this state where he has taken an active part in the economic and civic affairs of his community. He was born at Columbus, Nebraska, October 15, 1871, the son of Henry Promroy and Theda Wheeler Coolidge. His father, who was born in Taswell County, Illinois, October 6, 1835, and died at Hot Springs, South Dakota, September 24, 1918, was a tinner and hardware merchant. He served in the 8th Iowa Cavalry during the Civil War; his Scotch ancestors came to America in 1530, and settled in Massachusetts. His mother, who was interested in all civic affairs, was born at Flowerfield, Michigan, August 5, 1841, died at Columbus, Nebraska, 1924. Her ancestors came to this country prior to the Revolution.

Mr. Coolidge was graduated in 1888 from the Columbus High School where he was class valedictorian. He spent seven years in the Burlington coach shops at Plattsmouth, and for 30 years has been engaged in the general Merchandise business in Thurston County. A Republican, he has served as deputy county clerk of Cass County, 1894 to 1900; town board member at Rosalie, 15 years; school board member for 15 years. He is a member of the Nebraskana Society. His hobby is reading. During the World War Mr. Coolidge was an active participant in all patriotic work, especially in loan drives.

He was married to Martha Lois Smith at Plattsmouth, February 14, 1893. She was born, of English parentage, at Plattsmouth, December 13, 1873, and died at Rosalie, December 23, 1927. Four children were born to this marriage: Theda, born July 6, 1895, who married John M. Rose; Ruth, born June 17, 1897, who married A. P. Witthuhn; William, born June 20, 1899, who married Florence La Velle; and Helen, born May 31, 1914, who died December 25, 1915.

On February 17, 1930, Mr. Coolidge was united in marriage with Ina Southwick. Residence: Rosalie. (Photograph in Album).

Charles L. Cooper

Charles L. Cooper, president of the Farmers State Bank of Wallace, was born at St. Charles, Missouri, August 15, 1871.

His father, Charles Cooper, was a native of West Virginia, born April 18, 1845. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died at Agency, Iowa, November 19, 1921.

Mr. Cooper was married on May 4, 1897, to Marie Schaupp at Arcadia. They have one daughter, Marie, born December 4, 1906.

Mr. Cooper is a Republican, He has resided in Nebraska since March 1, 1883, and for many years has been prominent in the development of his community. Residence: Wallace.

Gerald Massey Gilbert Cooper

Gerald Massey Gilbert Cooper, editor and publisher, was born at London, England, January 19, 1862, son of George Armytage and Dinah Julia (Jones) Cooper.

The father, born in Yorkshire, England, died in London, about 1890. He was a lawyer, lecturer, and public entertainer, whose ancestry is traceable to Charles I. His wife, Dinah, was born in London, and died at Binley. Yorkshire, England, April 1, 1903. She was an operatic singer, a public entertainer, and a leader of music. Her ancestry was Welsh and Jewish.

As a boy before settling in Nebraska, Mr. Cooper traveled throughout England, Scotland and Wales with his parents, who were entertainers. He received his early education in public and private schools in England, and in April, 1892, came to Sheridan, where he has since resided.

A singer and dancer as a boy until he reached the age of twelve and a half, after retiring from the show business his father apprenticed him to the printers trade at Barrows in Furnas. He was for two years thereafter in a sportsmen's outfitting shop in London, with his brother. For the past 54 years, he has been in the printing and publishing business, nine years on the Barrow Herald, in Lancashire, England, five years in London, and 40 years

in Nebraska. He served three years in Company E 10th Lancashire (England) Rifles. Although reared an Episcopalian he is now a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (life member and trustee).

A Republican, Mr. Cooper has held various minor offices, including that of Justice of the Peace for five years and member of the Rushville School Board for five years. During the late war he was a member of the County Council of Defense. He is a member of the Red Cross, and has been director and treasurer of that organization. He is also a Mason, a member of the State Historical Society, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies are painting and drawing.

On June 4, 1897, he was married to Emma Lydia Hetzel at Gordon. Mrs. Cooper was born at Boone, Iowa, November 4, 1873, and for ten years was associated in business with her husband. They have two children, Vera Grace, born October 4, 1900, who married Ross D. Rash; and Gerald F., born May 9, 1903, who married Clara Benner. Residence: Rushville. (Photograph in Album).

Guy Lester Cooper

On July 3, 1880, Guy L. Cooper was born at Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska. Orrin Alonzo Cooper, his father, a pioneer Nebraska miller and grain dealer, was born on a farm in Cayuga County, New York, November 18, 1849, and died at Humboldt, March 23, 1923. For many years he was mayor of Humboldt. His ancestry was German and English.

Calista Ellen (Merrifield) Cooper, mother of Guy, was born of English parentage on a farm in Benton County, Iowa, September 25, 1858, and died at Humboldt, October 20, 1905. She was an active club worker.

Mr. Cooper attended the Humboldt High School where he was graduated in 1898, after which he was a student at the University of Nebraska for two years. He was a member of Alpha Theta Chi at the University. From 1906 to 1922 he was associated with his father in the milling and grain business. Since 1922 he has been in charge of the O. A. Cooper Company, Incorporated, with milling, grain, livestock, farming, ice-manufacturing and other interests. He is president of the O. A. Cooper Company. He has lived in Nebraska his entire life.

He was married to Josephine Lovina Bruun, at Humboldt, May 24, 1905. Mrs. Cooper, who was born at Muscatine, Iowa, August 12, 1885, is of Danish and English ancestry. There are four children, Guy Lester, born February 9, 1907, who married Evelyn Mae Kerr; Charles Albert, born October 21, 1908; John Robert, born January 1, 1911, who married Virginia Agnes Lee; and Calista, born April 27, 1914. Guy Lester and John Robert are associated with their father in business, Guy a graduate of the University of Nebraska where he was a member of Alpha Theta Chi. Charles Albert is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and a member of Alpha Theta Chi and Phi Beta Kappa; he is now attending diplomatic school at Washington, D. C.

Mr. Cooper was a first lieutenant in the home guards during the World War, later was in service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He was active in Red Cross Drives at Humboldt, and was chairman of the local Y. M. C. A. war drives. For 18 years he has been a member of the Humboldt school board, and at the present time is president of organization. He is a Mason, Shriner, a member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, and an active member of the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraskana Society, and the American Legion. He is a Republican. Residence: Humboldt.

Harold Cooper

Born at Bolton, England, September 29, 1881, the Reverend Harold Cooper is the son of George and Ellen (Harwood) Cooper. His father who was also born at Bolton, is a business man there. His mother died at Bolton, in 1929.

Mr. Cooper attended public school, Lancashire College and the University of Manchester. He won special honors in oriental languages, and is a lecturer of considerable note on World Travel. He has crossed the Atlantic sixteen times, and has traveled around the world once, spending nearly five years in India.

A lecturer before Rotary, Kiwanis, Shriners, Lions, Exchange, Civitan, Trojan, Altruian and various other clubs, he has also appeared before colleges and student gatherings throughout the middle west. Among his lectures are Around the World in Topsy Turvy Time; Migrating with the Immigrant; India--Strange Customs of a Strange Land: Japan--The Key to the Orient; Seeing Europe Through a Parson's Eyes; Don't be a Punkah Wailah; and The Lure of the Arctic.

On February 25, 1906, Mr. Cooper was married to Harriet Shugart at Marion, Indiana, her birthplace. Mrs. Cooper, who was born September 24, 1885, is descended from early Quaker settlers in Indiana.

In 1915, Mr. Cooper was chaplain of Red Cross in Manchester, England. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Crete, and the South India United Church. He is president of the Nebraska Council of Christian Education, and a member of the Commission on International Relations. He is a member of the Rotary Club and the Masons. Residence: Crete.

Horatio Franklin Cooper

Horatio Franklin Cooper, who is a farmer in Webster County, Nebraska, was born at Waukon, Iowa, March 26, 1852, and for the past 54 years has been a resident of Nebraska. His father, Harmon Squire Cooper, also a farmer, was born in Vermont, September 8, 1824, and died at Waukon, October 28, 1920, His mother, Jane Eliza Gilbert Cooper, was born in New York, January 5, 1835, and died at Forest City, Iowa, July 4, 1915.

Mr. Cooper was graduated from the Waukon High School, was a teacher for a time, and is now retired at Guide Rock, Nebraska. He was united in marriage with Matilda Jane Dunbar at Guide Rock, April 24, 1880. Mrs. Cooper, whose parents were farmers, was born in Illinois, February 28, 1861. Their children are: Chester, born October 5, 1882; Elsie, born May 4, 1881; and Winnie, born September 24, 1889. Mr. Cooper is a Democrat. Residence: Guide Rock.

John William Cooper

Active in the legal and political life of Omaha for many years, John W. Cooper is one of the most outstanding members of the Nebraska bar. Born at Hartford, Ohio County, Indiana, October 17, 1867, he is the son of Thomas Nelson and Mary Pugsley (Epsey) Cooper. His father, born at Hartford, April 25, 1830, was a farmer whose English ancestors came to America and fought in the Revolution. He died at Rising Sun, Indiana, March 1, 1889.

Mary Espey Cooper was a native of Rising Sun, born June 30, 1842. Her ancestry was also English, and members of the family served in the Revolutionary War. She died at Omaha, March 19, 1901.

John W. Cooper received his education in the public and high schools of Indiana, and was admitted to the practice of law at Kingman, Kansas, June 3, 1889, at the age of twenty-one. He is admitted to all state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. A Republican, he was elected to the Nebraska state senate and served from 1918-30, and is now serving as senator from Omaha. He is president pro tempore of the state senate, and is a member of the Nebraska-Iowa Joint Boundary Commission, and serves as secretary of that body. For the past thirty-eight years he has been active in the public life of the state. He is a Methodist, a

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