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John Tarlton Cooper

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Birth	:	1 Sep 1817 Scott County, Kentucky, USA
Death	:	31 Jul 1893 Shelbyville, Shelby County, Missouri, USA
Burial	:	Shelby Memorial Cemetery, Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.8046330, -92.0448310
Description	:	J. T. COOPER (Of Cooper & Dimmitt, Bankers, Shelbyville). Mr. Cooper, one of the most highly respected and influential citizens of Shelby county, and one of its leading property holders and business men, a man whose name all over the county stands for solidity, high character and personal worth, has risen to his present enviable position in life, a position he has long and honorably filled, solely by his own exertions and native good sense and honesty. He had no better opportunities than the least favored of boys and young men when he started out. He was without... Read More	J. T. COOPER (Of Cooper & Dimmitt, Bankers, Shelbyville). Mr. Cooper, one of the most highly respected and influential citizens of Shelby county, and one of its leading property holders and business men, a man whose name all over the county stands for solidity, high character and personal worth, has risen to his present enviable position in life, a position he has long and honorably filled, solely by his own exertions and native good sense and honesty. He had no better opportunities than the least favored of boys and young men when he started out. He was without a dollar, without backing of any sort, and, like most of the young men of those days, was far from having a fancy, polished education. In fact, he learned the saddle and harness-maker's trade and had just twenty-five cents in his pocket, no more and no less, as the sum total of his worldly wealth, when he arrived at Paris, in Monroe county, in 1842, to lay the foundation of his fortune. He worked at his trade at that place for four years and then came to Shelbyville, where he established his first shop. From that time to this he has run a shop at this place. But while his saddle and harness business has grown greatly in importance during this time, he has also devoted himself to other pursuits, and by his industry, enterprise and clear-headed, vigorous management, has prospered abundantly in all of them. Going to work at Shelbyville on his arrival here in 1846 with a determination to succeed, he soon built up a large business, and vigorously pushed it for all it was worth. It is needless to say that he made money. During 1850 and 1860 he is said to have had one of the largest and most profitable saddlery and harness establishments at any interior town in North Missouri. He also bought a fine body of 1,000 acres of land seven miles west of Shelbyville, where he improved a handsome farm. There he engaged quite extensively in raising stock, particularly mules, his annual fold averaging from 75 to 100 head. This farm and the stock business, after his three sons became old enough to take charge of it, he turned over to them, building each of them a commodious residence which he furnished neatly, and establishing them comfortably in life. Meanwhile, he turned his attention to his saddle and harness business, dealing, however, at the same time in real estate to some extent. In 1858 he established a branch saddle and harness house at Shelbina, which he had carried on with success for about 10 years, when, his building there being destroyed by fire, he discontinued the business. From time to time he has built numerous dwellings and business houses at Shelbyville, and bought and sold town property. He still owns considerable of this class of property. In 1874 he was largely instrumental in establishing the Shelby County Savings Bank, a joint stock institution, of which he was made president, and which had a prosperous career of several years. He and his present partner, Mr. Dimmitt, then bought up the stock and converted the Savings Bank into the present private banking institution of Cooper & Dimmitt. Since he engaged in the banking business Mr. Cooper has given the interests of the bank his personal attention, and has had a manager, Mr. Zulies Ritter, in charge of his saddlery and harness business, his establishment still being the leading one in this line in the county. Mr. Cooper is also a member of the firm of Dimmitt (W. A.) & Cooper, dealers in carriages, etc., at this place. The banking house with which he is connected is well known throughout Shelby and in neighboring counties, as well as in banking circles all over the State, as one of the safest, soundest banking houses in North Missouri. There are many whose capitals are larger and which do a larger business, but for careful, conservative management and prompt, efficient discharge of business, it enjoys an unusually enviable reputation. Thoroughly sound and solid financially, a greater guarantee, still, than this for stability, is the high character of the men it represents, men whose records for a lifetime stand out a pledge for all that is honorable, high minded and upright in the affairs of life. Mr. Cooper was born in Scott county, Ky., September 1, 1817, and was a son of Samuel and Jane (Tarlton) Cooper, both also natives of that State. The former died when his son was 12 months old. Reared in Fayette county, where his parents removed when he was quite young, he served an apprenticeship of six years at the saddle and harness-maker's trade and came to Paris, in Monroe county, in 1842, as stated above. September 6, 1848, he was married to Miss Frances Shambough, formerly of Caroline county, Va. She survived her marriage but nine years, dying in the fall of 1857. She left three sons: Alonzo, John H. and David L. These are all married and are residing on their respective farms already referred to. History of Monroe and Shelby Counties, Missouri; St. Louis: National Historical Company, 1884, Pages 898 and 899 JOHN T. COOPER Among the citizens of Shelby county, Missouri, from the beginning of its authentic history, none has stood higher in public esteem or been more entitled to universal regard than the late John T. Cooper, of Shelbyville, who became a resident of the county in 1846 and passed the remainder of his life in that city, ending a useful career as a merchant, manufacturer, farmer, stockman and banker, which covered nearly fifty years there, on July 31, 1893, and was altogether successful in every particular, he became master of every occupation in which he engaged and of every situation in which he found himself, and gave to this locality a fine example of the vigor, resourcefulness and self-reliance of American manhood. Mr. Cooper was born in Scott county, Kentucky, on September 1, 1817, and was a son of Samuel and Jane (Tarlton) Cooper, also natives of Kentucky. He came to Missouri in 18-12 and located in Paris, Monroe county where he worked at his trade as a saddler and harness maker for a period of four years. He learned his trade in his native state and learned it well. He had also fine business ability, and this helped to develop and expand his usefulness to the communities in which he lived and his own prosperity. In 1846 he moved to Shelbyville, and here he founded his first saddlery and harness shop. He gave his business close and careful attention and, for a time, devoted himself exclusively to building it up. It grew to great importance in this part of the state, having the advantages of early establishment, excellent management and first class reputation for the quality of its output in material and workmanship. Having gained a foothold in the city and won substantial prosperity, Mr. Cooper turned his attention to farming and raising live stock as a side line for the employment of his surplus energy. He bought 1,000 acres of land and on it conducted extensive operations in farming and raising stock. He gave special attention to raising mules, handling from 125 to 150 annually for a number of years with great success and profit. When his three sons arrived at the necessary capacity and development to handle this business he turned it over to them, and from that time until his death gave his whole attention to his harness and saddlery business and a lively trade in real estate which he had worked up from a small beginning, and his banking interests. He was one of the founders of the Shelby County Savings Bank, which was started in 1874, and one of the most potential factors in preparing the way for it. When it was organized he was elected president and as such conducted its affairs for several years. Then he and Mr. Dimmitt, his partner in another enterprise, bought all the stock of the institution and converted it into a private bank known as the Cooper & Dimmitt bank, to which for awhile he gave his whole energy, leaving the management of his harness trade to Julies Ritter. He was also a member of the firm of W. A. Dimmitt & Co., dealers in carriages and other road vehicles. The Cooper & Dimmitt Bank was one of the soundest and best managed financial institutions in this part of the state and enjoyed a wide and exalted reputation in the business world. Mr. Cooper was married on September 6, 1848, to Miss Frances Shambaugh, a native of Caroline county, Virginia. They had three children, their sons, Alonzo, John H. and David L., all residents of this county, where John and David died some years ago, leaving Alonzo the only survivor of the family. A sketch of his life will be found in this work. The father retired from active work a few years before his death, but to the end kept his finger on the pulse of all his business interests. GENERAL HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, MISSOURI 1911 pp 225, 226 Written by Shelby Countians and graciously donated by the Shelby County Historical Society, Kathleen Wilham, President—©Copyright 1911 ==================================================================== Funeral Notice The funeral services of John T. Cooper will take place from the M. E. Church, South, in Shelbyville, Missouri, Tuesday, August 1, 1893, at 3 p.m., conducted by Rev. W. W. McMurry. Born Sept. 1, 1816 (sic), died July 31, 1893. Aged 75 years and 11 months. Burial at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. ======================================================================== JOHN T. COOPER. Another of our old and prominent citizens has gone the way of all the earth. After a long struggle death at last claimed its victim which it sought for months, and Monday night the spirit departed from the body. John T. Cooper was born in Scott county, Ky., Sep. 1st 1817; so he lacked but a month of being 67 and he held his age and strength remarkably well, until last winter, when he was taken down and remained confined to his room until his death. When a boy he served an apprenticeship of six years at the harness and saddlery trade, and become a very skillful workman. He is an example for our boys who are so impatient about spending the necessary time to prepare themselves to become skillful in any pursuit. He came to Paris in 1842 and four years later settled in Shelbyville and engaged in the harness trade, and soon built up a very successful business. He bought a tract of a thousand acres of land west of Shelbyville, and made a fine farm. He was also a mule trader. Thus by energy, industry and economy he accumulated much property. Commencing without a dollar, he made it by his industry and skill. In '74 he assisted in establishing the Shelby county Savings Bank; but subsequently sold it out to Dr. Dimmitt. He was always a quiet, upright, worthy citizen and had the respect of all who knew him. Shelbina Democrat (Shelbina, MO), 1893-08-02; page 8, column 5 Information on file with Shelby County Historical Society & Museum

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Tarlton Cooper's memorial?
John Tarlton Cooper's memorial is located at: Shelby Memorial Cemetery, Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA.
When did John Tarlton Cooper death?
John Tarlton Cooper death on 31 Jul 1893 in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Missouri, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Tarlton Cooper's memorial?
Latitude: 39.8046330
Longitude: -92.0448310

Family Members:

Spouse

Frances A. Shambaugh Cooper

(1824 - 1857)

Children

Alonzo Cooper

(1850 - 1915)

John Hughes Cooper

(1853 - 1908)

David L. Cooper

(1856 - 1890)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Shelby Memorial Cemetery
Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8046330, -92.0448310

2. Shelbyville Mausoleum
Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8048900, -92.0462300

3. Shelbyville Masonic Cemetery
Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8081100, -92.0465600

4. Hiles Cemetery
Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8058014, -92.0691986

5. Rookwood Family Cemetery
Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8470611, -92.0335702

6. Bethany Methodist Cemetery
Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8331950, -91.9937370

7. Eaton Cemetery
Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7621994, -92.0044022

8. Fairview Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7818985, -91.9760971

9. Forest Grove Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8507996, -92.1018982

10. Roff Cemetery
Shelbina, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7379885, -92.0390284

11. Bethel Zion Cemetery
Bethel, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8768997, -92.0444031

12. Gilchrist Cemetery
Shelbina, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7483531, -91.9854958

13. Wood Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7406006, -92.0950012

14. Smith Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7299995, -92.0550003

15. Heartland Cemetery
Bethel, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8773000, -92.0203300

16. Mount Hope Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7930984, -92.1442032

17. Pickett Cemetery
Bethel, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8822700, -92.0085100

18. Mount Zion Cemetery
Bethel, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8554900, -91.9555100

19. Bethel Hebron Cemetery
Bethel, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8910000, -92.0312700

20. Bacon Chapel Cemetery
Shelbyville, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7511487, -92.1368436

21. Looney Cemetery
Bethel, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8516500, -91.9457830

22. Oak Dale Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.7620700, -91.9336900

23. Morris Cemetery
Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8227997, -92.1808014

24. Shelbina Mausoleum No 2 1961
Shelbina, Shelby County, USA
Coordinate: 39.6930200, -92.0481800