Cooper - David F. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The Funeral service of David F. Cooper, who died at the home of his niece Mrs. William Clemmons of Hillsboro, Friday morning, was held from the Hillsboro Christian church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev. H. J. McKinnell, of Darlington, Ind., and old friend and former pastor of the deceased. The singers were George McBroom, Claud Harding, Mrs. Mary Starnes and Mrs. Elzada Claman with Miss Nellie Fletcher at the piano. They sang, "Face to Face," "The Unclouded Day," "O Think of the Home Over There." The pallbearers were nephews of the deceased: Harry and Henry Cooper, of Indianapolis; Preston Cooper of Bridgeport, Ill., and Clifford Donelson, of Wesley. Earl Walker of Olivet, Ill., and Roy Stuart, of Covington, were flower bearers. Internment was made in Rose Hill cemetery Hillsboro.

David F., son of James and Lucinda Allen Cooper, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, May 27, 1841 and departed this life November 2, 1928 aged 97 years, 5 months and 6 days.

At the age of 12 years he with his parents moved to Indiana where they located 2 miles west of Hillsboro. He lived here until the outbreak of the Civil War when he and four brothers, John, Marion, Carey and Henry enlisted as soldiers in the Union army, in August 1861 and David remained for three years and six months, or until the end of the war. He became a member of Co. H of the 2nd New York Calvary, known as the "Harris Light Cavalry." He entered as a private and was a corporal upon release. He served in the army of the Potomac under Sheridan, Kilpatrick, McClelland and Grant.

In 1869 he was married to Miss Mary Ruth Ellis, and to this union were born four children: Mrs. Cora L. Price and Ivan Cooper, of Lawrence county, Illinois; Mrs. May Hunt (Clara May Cooper Bell) of Seattle, Wash. and Sherman E. Cooper, of New Underwood, South Dakota; all of whom were present at the funeral.

Also he leaves 12 grand children and 6 great grand children besides four brothers and one sister: Joel A., of Oakland, Ill.; Carey, of Mellott, Ind.; Miles and Preston of Hillsboro, Ind. and Mrs. Rosetta Donelson, of Waynetown, Ind. There are a host of other relatives scattered throughout the country.

Shortly after his marriage he and his bride established a home on a farm in Lawrence county, Illinois where they spent about 40 years, or until their children were all married. In 1908, "Uncle Dave" and "Aunt Mary," as they were affectionately called by all their friends and neighbors, moved to the scenes of their earlier life in Indiana near Waynetown where they spent their declining years.

The tragic death of his companion five years ago was a blow from the effects of which he never recovered. He could not speak of it without deep emotion. His constant longing since has been to join her on the other side.

Brother Cooper was a charter member of the Free Methodist church at New Hope in the community where he lived in Illinois. He had a prominent part in its establishment and has always been whole-hearted and liberal in his support with the church. His chief interest in life has centered around the church and its work. He was of that type of Christian who believes intensely in the truths of the Christian religion. He felt that, "If these things are true, they are tremendously true," and he was never indifferent about his religious convictions. He is known as a man of prayer. His life was characterized by a close walk with God, and his influence for good has reached far and will continue throughout the eternal ages.

We who remain do not mourn as those who have no hope, but we cherish the memory of a truly godly man and look forward with glad hope to a happy reunion in a land where good byes are never spoken and where, "Someday we'll understand."  -- typed by kbz