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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA

attained a position of independence and influence entirely by his own force of character and industry, and when he passed from time to eternity, on June 8, 1887, his loss was felt by the entire community. His remains rest in a pleasant spot in Grandview cemetery, but the memory of life well spent remains as a monument to him ore enduring than those of iron or stone. JOSHUA M. COOPER, A.M., M.D., a surgeon and physician of large experience and extensive practice, now resident of Johnstown, is a son of James and Elizabeth A. (Boyd) Cooper, and was born in Jenner township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1844. His father, James Cooper, was a son of Joshua Cooper, who was born in County Tyrone, North Ireland, in which country their family was well connected and respectable. Joshua Cooper, Sr., came from Ireland to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, at the age of eight years. He married Jane Boyd, and died when their son, James, was but seventeen years of age. James Cooper took care of his father's family, and after teaching school for a time, went to Ben's Creek furnace, contracting for the delivery of the ore. He afterwards managed Washington furnace and then served as manager of Cambria furnace until it went out of blast in 1860. In that year the Cambria Iron company made him heir farm and stable superintendent, which position he held until his death, June 8, 1887. He owned the site of Coopersdale, which was named after him, and was a very energetic and active business man. He was a republican and a methodist, and took and active part in the interest of his party and his church. His life was such as to command respect and win friendship. Just, hon-

est and fearless, he was a born leader and exercised a controlling influence in his community. At his death he left a priceless heritage to his children, that of a spotless reputation. He married Elizabeth A. Boyd, who died September 8,1894, and their surviving children are: Dr. Joshua M.; Maggie J., wife of D. A. Harris; Kizzie E., married to N. B. Griffith; Emma L., wife of C. H. Loughery; and Anson B., now holding his father's position as superintendent of farms and stables for the Cambria Iron company.     Dr. Joshua M. Cooper received his early education in the common schools of the county and the public schools of Johnstown, attended Latrobe academy, at Westmoreland county, and took the full course of Duff's Commercial college of Pittsburgh. He then taught a term of school at what is now coopersdale, and in the ensuing summer entered Allegheny college, of Meadville, this State, from which he received the degree of A M. Leaving college he read medicine with Dr. John Lowman, of Johnstown, and in the fall of 1866 entered Jefferson Medical college of Philadelphia. From which time-honored institution he was graduated in the class of 1868. Immediately after graduation he opened an office at Canton, Ohio, which he left two years later to locate at Erie, where he remained six years and was surgeon at that place, and during that time, of the Erie and Pittsburg Railroad company. Leaving Erie, in 1876, on account of the rigorous climate, Dr. Cooper resided for two years at Braddock, Allegheny county, as physician and surgeon of the Edgar Thompson Steel company, and then removed to Meadville, this State, where he practiced eighteen months. At the end of that time, in 1879, he came to Johnstown, where he built up a fine practice and secured quite a valuable

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