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COOPER TOWNSHIP
The first settlement in what now constitutes Cooper township, was in 1819. Among the early settlers were, John Cooper, Jacob Cooper, Henry Giger, Philip Smith, Hiram Robbins, Benjamin Giger, John North, Stephen Sowell, Mr. Johnston, William Bragg, Mr. Litteral.
JOHN COOPER was born June 3, 1794, in South Carolina, and was taken by his parents to Jefferson county, Tennessee, where he subsequently married to Susannah Peyton, who died after giving birth to one child. Mr. Cooper was married a second time to Susannah Giger. They moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, arriving April 2, 1820, in what is now Rochester township, and one year later moving to Cooper township, south of the Sangamon river. Mr. Cooper was a local minister in the Methodist Church, and preached almost as regular as the preachers in the traveling connection. He solemnized the marriage of many couple among the early settlers. He was a justice of the peace, and one of the county commissioners for many years, and when the township organization was effected his name was given to the township. Mr. Cooper died January, 1860, his wife preceding him a few months.