Biography of James R. Cosper, pages 857 / 858.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

James R. Cosper, a pioneer of Union Township, was born in Tompkins County, 
N.Y., Feb. 20, 1813.  His grandfather John Cosper, was a native of Saxony; 
came to America in infancy; settled in New Jersey where he grew to manhood; 
married, and to him were born three children. Early in the war for 
Independence, his wife and two children were killed by Indians.  He then 
enlisted and served seven years. At the close of the war, he again married 
and finally died in Pennsylvania.  Of a second family, the eldest, David 
Cosper, father of the subject of our sketch, lived in New Jersey until 
eighteen when he removed to Tompkins County, N.Y., where he married.  In 
1812 he entered the army; was engaged at Fort George, Chippewa, Lundy’s Lane 
and Niagara; at the last-named place was severely wounded.  Returned home 
and subsequently moved to Pennsylvania where he lived ten years, when he 
went to Ohio and settled in Knox County.  In February, 1841, he came to De 
Kalb County, Ind., settled upon a small farm in Concord Township where he 
died, Jan. 27, 1868, aged eighty-five years.  James R. Cosper learned the 
carpenter’s trade in his youth, was married  February, 1835, to Mary McKay, 
and in May following migrated to Knox County, and settled in Chesterville, 
where he worked at this trade until 1841, when he purchased land in De Kalb 
County, Ind.  He lived one year in Auburn and then returned to the farm 
where he still resides.  He worked at carpentry and with the means thus 
provided, hired the chopping of his land. He put up his own buildings.  He 
was burned out  in 1850 and during the same year lost heavily in stock.  
Not discouraged by these losses he again took up his tools, and in time 
retrieved them.  His land is now under a good state of cultivation.  He 
has a good residence and capacious barn.  Of eight children four are 
living; two died in infancy.  The eldest son, James S., was a most 
promising young man; learned the trade of his father, and also taught 
school.  At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in Company E, 
Eleventh Indiana Zouaves, and was killed at the battle of Champion Hills, 
Mississippi, on May 16, 1863.  A commission as Lieutenant reached the camp 
the day of his death.  Mildred, second daughter, was educated as a teacher; 
married, had two children and died in 1867.  Anna Z. Cosper was born in 
Auburn, in September, 1841; became a teacher; was a nurse in the hospital 
of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; taught a colored school under the auspices of the 
Christian Commission; married Wm. H. McIntosh, and resides in Auburn.  
Florence, third daughter, married H. P. Colgrove, and lives in Kansas; 
Byron A. and Frank B., sons, are married and live upon the farm.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com