Cooper - Charles Marion - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Mellott, Ind. - Charles M. Cooper, 101, a pioneer resident of Mellott, died at his home in Mellott at 8:45 p.m. Friday (May 28, 1971). He had been in failing health for several months. Born Oct. 16, 1869, near Hillsboro, he was the son of Carry and Cynthia Bailey Cooper. He was the oldest of six children and when he was 17 years old, he and his family moved to Mellott. His maternal grandmother was Susanne Lightfoot Bailey who was part Indian. He attended the Epperson School near Hillsboro. On July 27, 1890, he married Rosa McAllister of Mellott. They took up housekeeping in Mellott, and Mr. Cooper had residence in his present house since 1893. His wife died on Nov. 11, 1951. He joined the Methodist Church in Hillsboro, when he was 17. He was an ardent Republican and had not missed voting since he turned 21. Before his death Mr. Cooper had stated that he attributed his long life to two things, no smoking and no drinking. He had five uncles who lived to be 90 or older. He was only hospitalized once in his life - for surgery in 1937. His main occupation was ditch digging throughout Fountain and Montgomery counties, but at various times he did other types of work. He helped to build the first railroad, a narrow gage, through Mellott that was completed in 1883. In 1888 he helped to convert the railroad to standard size. He worked in both saw mills that had been operated in Mellott at one time. He was the father of 16 children, including two sets of twins. On his 100th birthday the community gave him a color television. On his 101st birthday last October the (he) was presented a flag and pole, in commemoration of the town's "Flagtown USA" title. Survivors include two daughters, Miss Gladys H. Cooper at home and Mrs. Elva I Ballah of Veedersburg; eight sons, Chester G., Leva and Floyd H., all of Attica; Casper O., Marion H., and Dowie T., all of Crawfordsville, Forest E. of Lakeland, Fla. and Fern M. of Mellott; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great grandchildren; and a great-great-great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by three sons, three daughters, two brothers and three sisters. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Crumley-Williams Funeral Home in Hillsboro, with the Rev. Walter C. Williams, pastor of the Hillsboro Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery at Waynetown. Friends will be received at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Monday.

Mellott - Charles Marion Cooper, 101, Mellott's oldest resident, died at 8:45 p.m. Friday at his home. Born Oct. 16, 1869, near Hillsboro, he had spent his entire life in this area and in 1883 helped build the first railroad through Mellott. He had resided in Mellott since his marriage in 1890 and had lived in the same house since 1893. Mr. Cooper was a ditcher by trade, working in Fountain and Montgomery counties. He joined the Hillsboro Methodist Church at the age of 17 and was an avid sports fan and ardent Republican. He said he had never missed voting in an election since his 21st birthday. The son of Cary and Cynthia Bailey Cooper, he was the oldest of six children. His maternal grandmother, Mrs. Susanne Lightfoot Bailey, was part Indian. He attended Epperson School near Hillsboro. he was married July 27, 1890, to Rosa McAlister of Mellott. She died Nov. 11, 1951. He was hospitalized only once during his lifetime, in 1937.