Introduction
Howard M. Cooper was born at Kaighn's Point in Camden to John and Mary M. (Kaighn) Cooper on June 14, 1844. He was a direct descendant of William Cooper, one of the first Englishmen to settle in the area, and for whom Cooper's Point and the Cooper River is named.
John Cooper, Howard M. Cooper's father, was born in Woodbury, NJ, and spent his youth on a farm in that place. When a young man he went to Camden, and engaged in the wood and coal business, building up a large trade. He was in business in Camden many years, with John W. Stone, at 32–34 Kaighn Avenue. John Cooper retired around 1888, and passed away on April 18, 1894 at the age of 80. At that time he was vice-president of the Camden National Bank. Mary M. Cooper was the daughter of Joseph Kaighn and Sarah Mickle, both members of prominent families in early Camden. Younger brother William J. Cooper continued his father's business after moving it to 221 Kaighn Avenue into the 1920s.
After graduating from Haverford College in 1864, he took up the study of law with Peter L. Voorhees. He was admitted to the bar in 1867, and qualified as a counselor in 1870.
In 1874 Howard M. Cooper served as administrator for the estate of Grace E. Kaighn. In that capacity in order to settle debts of the estate he sold land west of South 3rd and Chestnut Street south across Sycamore Street to Kaighn Avenue to Randal E. Morgan. 299 Kaighn Avenue was part of this sale.
Howard M. Cooper married Lucy Smyth on April 24, 1884.
Howard Cooper appears in the 1887–1891 Camden City directories as living at 633 Cooper Street, where his brother William also resided. He sold this home to merchant H.B. Hanford sometime in the 1890s. In those years he maintained offices at 106 Market Street, a building which his family had built in 1865. He also was the treasurer of the Camden County Bar Association in 1890–91.
Howard M. Cooper became a prominent attorney in Camden, and was involved in several significant enterprises in the city. By 1897 he was president of the Security Trust and Safe Deposit Company, the Harleigh Cemetery Association, and the West Jersey Orphanage for Destitute Colored Children. He was also a director of the West Jersey Title & Guarantee Company, and was director and solicitor for the Camden National Bank. Lucy Cooper was also civic-minded, and was active in the Woman's Club of Camden, N.J. in the late 1890s.
Howard M. Cooper was also a member of the Camden County Historical Society. From a paper he read to the Historical Society on June 13, 1899, he wrote the book “Historical Sketch of Camden N.J.” which was published in 1909.
The building at 106 Market Street was sold in 1914 to another prominent lawyer, Thomas E. French. By the time of the 1920 census, Howard and Lucy Cooper were living at 633 Penn Street in Camden. Howard Cooper passed away on June 22, 1922 at the age of 78.
Camden Board of Freeholders Investigation
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The investigation of the books and accounts of the Camden Board of Freeholders by Justice Parker, H. M. Cooper and D. Moody, up to Saturday disclosed a discrepancy of only $8, which was overpaid and has since been returned.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN NEWS.
Notes of Interest from the City Across the Delaware.
The stockholders of the new Camden National Bank held another meeting yesterday and elected the following Board of Directors: Henry B. Anthony, Dr. George W. Bailey, Irvin C. Beatty, Howard M. Cooper, John Cooper, James Davis, Herbert C. Felton, Philip H. Fowler, George P. Halnes, Zophar C. Howell, Zophar L. Howell, Rudolph W. Birdsall, William B. Mulford, Charles E. Thomas, Isaac C. Toom, Henry B. Wilson, Charles B. Coles. Zophar C. Howell was chosen president; John Cooper, vice president; Howard M. Cooper, solicitor, and Isaac C. Martindale, cashier. The committee, on procuring a suitable location, reported in favor of securing the store of Thomas Boyle, Kaighn's avenue, above Locust street. The were instructed to procure the same and to make necessary alterations as speedy as possible. Fifty per cent. of the capital stock was paid in at the meeting.
Corporation Elections
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CORPORATION ELECTIONS.
The Kaighn's Point Ferry Company yesterday elected these officers and directors: President, Austin Corbin; vice president, A. A. McLeod; W. R. Taylor, secretary; W. A. Church, treasurer; directors, Austin Corbin, A. A. McLeod, George DeB. Keim, S. A. Caldwell, A. J. Antelo, W. R. Taylor, Herbert C. Felton. Herbert C. Felton was elected superintendent.
The West Jersey Title and Guarantee Company elected these officers and directors: President, Samuel H. Grey; secretary, William S. Cassleman; treasurer, D. Somers Risley; directors, Samuel H. Grey, Hon. William J. Sewell, Peter L. Vorhees, William S. Scull, E. N. Cohn, Franklin C. Woolman, D. Somers Risley, Peter V. Vorhees, Thomas E. French, William S. Cassleman and Alexander C. Wood.
The stockholders of the Camden Heating and Lighting Company elected these directors: E. A. Armstrong, J. E. Roberts, George Barrett, J. W. Morgan, William S. Scull, William J. Sewell, William T. Bailey, J. J. Burleigh, David Baird, Howard M. Cooper and Rene Gillon.
Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN
Justice F. Joseph Rout, of the Eighth ward, is contemplating a trip to Europe.
Miss Lillian Huston and Mrs. William Siver, of Philadelphia, spent Wednesday visiting East Camden friends.
A Dewey social was given by Fidelity Temple, Ladies of the Golden Eagle, in Sigle's Hall Wednesday evening.
Canton Ridgley, No. 5, I. O. O. F., has elected the following officers: Captain, B. F. Fortiner; lieutenant, F. H. Verlander; ensign, George H. Ewen; accountant, R. H. Gaskill; clerk, J. Gaskill.
Councilman Arthur C. Abele has been spending a few days at Atlantic City.
The Crescent Wheelmen will tender a reception next Thursday evening to Adjutant Ulie Lee and Corporal George Johnson, of the Fourth Regiment, N. J. Volunteers.
Asa Sydings was married to Virgie M. Linthicum, daughter of J. W. Linthicum, of 123 North Twenty-fourth street, on Tuesday evening. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Horace P. Hill, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church.
Cards are out announcing the wedding of Constable Howard Christman to Miss Minnie Mitchell, daughter of Robert Mitchell, on the 26th inst., at the home of the bride's parents.
Edward S. Bradford celebrated his twenty-third birthday anniversary on Friday evening at his home, at 438 Pine street.
An “old-fashioned love feast” was held by the Camden Class Leaders’ Association in First M. E. Church Thursday evening.
At the annual meeting of the West Jersey Orphanage for Destitute Colored Children, held Tuesday, these officers were re-elected: President of Board of Trustees, Howard M. Cooper; secretary, Edward L. Farr; treasurer, Alexander C. Wood; physician, Dr. Alexander McAllister, and of the Board of Managers, Lucy S. Cooper, president; Rebecca C. W. Reeve, recording secretary; Susan S. Wood, corresponding secretary.
Biographical Review — 1897
Biographical Review of Burlington and Camden Counties, 1897
HOWARD M. COOPER, an attorney of Camden, was born at Kaighn’s Point, this city, June 24, 1844. The son of John and Mary M. (Kaighn) Cooper, he springs from two of the old families of the locality, whose names are perpetuated in Kaighn’s Point and Cooper’s Point. The first of his father’s family to settle in New Jersey was William Cooper, an Englishman, who located first in Burlington, remaining there a year, and then removed to territory now within the limits of Camden. There he purchased a large tract of land, part of which is still known as Cooper’s Point; and much of the city of Camden is built on what was originally his property.
John Cooper, Howard M. Cooper’s father, was born in Woodbury, N.J., and spent his youth on a farm in that place. When a young man he went to Camden, and engaged in the wood and coal business, building up a large trade. He was in business in Camden many years, and retired some time prior to his death, which happened April 18, 1894, when he was eighty years old. At that time he was Vice-President of the Camden National Bank. His religious creed was that of the Society of Friends. His wife, a native of Camden, was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Mickle) Kaighn, and a descendant of early Quaker settlers of Camden. She died at the age of sixty-six, having been the mother of four children. Of these Howard M. was the eldest. The second child, Sallie K., is the wife of George K. Johnson, of Philadelphia; and the third, William J., is in business in Camden, a dealer in hardware, doors, sashes, and blinds. One child, Ellen, died in her seventeenth year.
Howard M. Cooper received his early education in private schools in Camden and Philadelphia. At the age of seventeen he entered Haverford College in Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1864. After receiving his diploma he took up the study of law with Peter L. Voorhees, of Camden, was admitted as attorney in 1867, and was qualified as counsellor in 1870. He is President of the Security Trust and Safe Deposit Company, of the Harleigh Cemetery Association, and of the West Jersey Orphanage for Destitute Children; a Director and the Solicitor of the Camden National Bank; and a Director of the West Jersey Title and Guarantee Company. His wife is Lucy Smyth Cooper, and they have one daughter, Emily Smyth Cooper. In politics Mr. Cooper is an independent Republican. Though he has always taken an active interest in political affairs, he is not an office-seeker. He is at present a member of the Committee of One Hundred of Camden. In religious belief he is a Friend.
627 & 633 Cooper Street
Cooper Street from 601 to 7th Street, Camden, 1925. Howard M. Cooper lived at 633 Cooper in the 1890s.
Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, NJ. Howard M. Cooper served as president of the Harleigh Cemetery Association.
Funeral of Former Judge Voorhees
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Funeral of Former Judge Voorhees
Former Judge Peter V. Voorhees was buried from his home, 315 Cooper street, Camden, yesterday. The services were in charge of Rev. R. E. Brestell, rector of St. Paul’s P. E. Church. The pall-bearers were Dr. H. Genet Taylor, Dr. Paul H. Markley, Richard H. Reeve, Augustus Reeve, Watson Depuy, Howard M. Cooper, Alexander C. Wood and Ephraim Tomlinson. Interment was made at Evergreen.
Carpenter Funeral
Philadelphia Inquirer —
** There were many men of prominence in attendance at the funeral yesterday of Lawyer James H. Carpenter, which took place from his home at 38 North Second street. The services were in charge of Rev. Rudolph Brestell, and the pall-bearers included Dr. H. Genet Taylor, H. C. Alexander, Vice Chancellor E. B. Leaming, Howard M. Cooper, Howlings Lippincott, Wilbur F. Rose and several Philadelphians.
Emily Cooper at Bryn Mawr
Philadelphia Inquirer —
** Miss Emily Cooper, of Seventh and Penn streets, took part in the May Day festivities at Bryn Mawr College. Miss Cooper is a graduate of the school.
Report of the Condition of the Camden National Bank
Bank Directory —
REPORT OF THE CONDITION OF THE Camden National Bank, At Camden, in the State of New Jersey, at the close of business March 7, 1916.
Directors: Francis C. Rowell, John W. Donges, Herbert C. Felton, James W. Halley, Rudolph W. Birdsell, John C. Danenhower, Howard M. Cooper, Isaac Ferris, Elias Davis.
I, ELIAS DAVIS, Cashier of the above-named Bank, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true, to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Prepare. Memorial Resolutions
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Prepare. Memorial Resolutions
At the opening of the September term of the Camden county courts yesterday Judge Kates presided in the absence of Supreme Court Justice Garrison, who is ill. It was stated that there was nothing of importance to require special attention. A committee consisting of Herbert A. Drake, Howard M. Cooper and J. Truman Stackhouse was appointed to prepare resolutions on the death of the late George J. Bergen. Enos B. Dellmuth, of the Ninth ward, is the foreman of the new grand jury and the other members are Louis Clark, Charles A. Duncan, F. L. Peach, W. J. Coxey, Herbert Corson, Elmer Deputy, Herbert C. Felton, W. B. McMullin, Joseph B. Davis, Charles D. Phillips, Ephraim Gill, Charles Austermuhl, Samuel Mackler, Frank C. Dall, J. H. Knerr, Charles M. Curry, Isaiah Hatch, Hary [sic] M. Dease, Elmer F. Edwards, Thomas J. Wright and Anthony J. Oberst.
Camden Mayor Advises Saving in City Budget
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Only Expenditures for Actual Needs of Municipality Recommended to Council
Mayor Ellis, of Camden, in presenting his annual message to City Council yesterday at the reorganization for the ensuing year, stated that in accordance with the government’s policy of efficiency and economy he was refraining from offering suggestions that would require the expenditure of additional money. His recommendations were therefore along the lines of the municipality’s actual needs.
Pointing out that labor scarcity and war restrictions on materials had hampered street construction by the Highway Department, the Mayor stated that since the establishment of the auxiliary pumping station at the Broadway pump house the cost was much less than charged by private companies. He suggested the purchase of a boat to patrol the river front during the ice season and dwelt upon the need of more men in both the Police and Fire Departments.
In discussing the proposed bridge construction the Mayor stated that he hoped the State would take action to enact the road legislation, and that the commission already was discussing the question with the impetus that will assure its continuance until taken to a successful conclusion by the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Council confirmed a number of appointments recommended by Mayor Ellis. William H. Davis was reappointed a member of the City Board of Assessors, and Howard M. Cooper and Thomas French were made members of the Board of Library Trustees, the first succeeding himself, and the latter Wilbur F. Rose, resigned. Dr. A. Haines Lippincott was appointed police and fire surgeon, succeeding the late Dr. E. A. Y. Schellenger. Herbert A. Munger was reappointed a member of the Sinking Fund Commission for three years.
A City Plan Commission for one year was appointed as follows: T. Gordon Coulter, F. A. Finkeldey, George Kappell, William C. Davis, Theodore T. Kausel, Allen Jarvis, Frank S. Van Hart, Frederick von Nieda and Joseph Forsyth. Allen Jarvis, Dr. Charles P. Tuttle, Dr. H.F. Bushey, Elisha Gravenor and Charles Whaland were also confirmed.
The two new members of City Council named were William J. Kelly, from the Eighth Ward, and Clifford K. Deacon.
Howard M. Cooper: Dean of Camden Bar Passes Away at 78
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Dean of Camden Bar Passes Away at 78
Infirmities due to old age caused the sudden death yesterday of Howard M. Cooper, dean of the Camden bar, at the age of 78. He passed away at his home, 633 Penn street, while asleep. Mr. Cooper had been in feeble health for several years, but continued to look after his office practice to some extent until last Saturday.
Mr. Cooper was born on June 24, 1844 at Third street and Kaighn avenue, where the Cooper Recreation Center is now located. He was the son of John and Mary Cooper, descendants of two of the oldest Camden families. He graduated from Haverford College in 1864 and after studying law in the office of Peter L. Voorhees was admitted to the bar in 1867.
Mr. Cooper was formerly president of the Security Trust Company, a director of the Camden National Bank, a director of the West Jersey Title and Guaranty Company and one of the organizers of the West Jersey Trust Company. For many years he was president of the West Jersey Orphanage for Destitute Colored Children and was also active in other societies devoted to looking after the welfare of distressed children. He had been a trustee of the Free Public Library since the formation of that body in 1902 and was largely instrumental in the establishment of the city’s first library prior to the financing of the movement by the municipal government.
He was one of the organizers of the Camden Bar Association and after serving as its president for many years was made president emeritus in 1921. He is survived by his wife and a daughter, Mrs. Emily Johnson, of Germantown. His funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon with Friends’ ceremony. Interment will be private.
Cooper
Philadelphia Inquirer —
COOPER.—Sixth Month 29th. HOWARD M. Cooper, aged 78. Relatives and friends invited to funeral, residence, 633 Penn st., Camden, N. J.; Seventh Day, Seventh Month 1, 3 P. M., daylight saving. Int. private. It is especially requested that no flowers be sent.