USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania biography : illustrated, Volume I > Part 36
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Mr. Brown has never sought or ac- cepted public works, but has always been active in party work and frequently pre- sided in younger years at political meet- ings. He has always shrunk from pub- licity of any kind, but has never with- held his support from any worthy enter- prise that claimed his attention and there are many charitable institutions that en- joy his interest and generosity. He is a life member of the Pennsylvania Hospi- tal, of the Historical Society of Pennsyl- vania, a life member of the Young Men's Christian Association, the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and also of a great number of other asso- ciations.
The more recent years of his life have been devoted to extensive travel. Few men have visited as many countries of the world and made so close a study of the different conditions, nationalities and governments of men. His faith in our Republican system and institutions is abiding, and he believes that ours is the most perfect and enduring system for the government of man.
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COOPER, Thomas V.,
Soldier, Journalist, Legislator.
While a branch of the Cooper family settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1675, the ancestors of this branch settled first in New England, where Wil- liam Cooper, an English emigrant, took part in King Philip's War. Later he came to New Jersey, where he owned a tract of land where now in part stands the city of Camden. His seven sons settled in the now States of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Georgia. One of these sons was the ancestor of James Fenimore Cooper, the noted au- thor; and from another sprang James Cooper, grandfather of Thomas V. Cooper, the patriotic journalist of Dela- ware county, Pennsylvania.
James Cooper, born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the son of a Revolu- tionary soldier who was an orderly under Washington, was promoted lieutenant, and after the war settled in Pittsburgh. When Lafayette visited Pittsburgh in 1824, Lieutenant Cooper had the distinc- tion of being the oldest Revolutionary soldier present at the reception given the distinguished Frenchman. James Coop- er, son of Lieutenant Cooper, lived to the wonderful age of ninety-nine years, but even this was almost equalled by one of his sons, Major Samuel Cooper, who lived to be ninety-seven years of age, and at the age of seventy-seven years entered the military service of his coun- try during the war between the North and South. He was also the author of the Scott-Cooper system of military drill long in use in the United States army.
sylvania Blues, and with his company took active part in suppressing the Anti- Catholic riots in Philadelphia in 1844. He married Henrietta Fields, of Ilagers- town, Maryland, who bore him seven children.
Thomas V. Cooper, son of Dr. J. W. and Henrietta (Fields) Cooper, was born January 16, 1835, in Cadiz, Ohio, where for a short time only his parents resided, and died in Media, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 19, 1909, the result of an accident. He obtained a good English education, learned the art of type setting and print- ing before he was twenty years of age, and in 1855 founded, in association with Dr. D. A. Vernon, the "Media Adver- tiser." The following year the name was changed to the "Media Advertiser and Delaware County American," and in 1859 the present title, "Delaware County American," was adopted. From 1855 un- til his death, a period of fifty-four years, Mr. Cooper was connected editorially with "The American," excepting the Civil War period, when he was in the field, there striving as a soldier to up- hold the cause he had advocated as a journalist. He was at the time of his death one of the very few editors in Penn- sylvania who with pen and type aided in creating the sentiment that brought the Republican party into being, and ad- vocated the election of the candidates of that party in 1856, and for half a cen- tury thereafter continued unfailingly to support the same party. Mr. Cooper was an alternate delegate to the Repub- lican Convention of 1860 that nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency, and voted the delegates of his congressional district for Mr. Lincoln, whose nomina- tion was assured by the withdrawal of Simon Cameron and the releasing of the Cameron delegates.
Dr. J. W. Cooper, another son of James Cooper, was a skilful physician, residing at different times in New York, Philadel- phia, and Chester, Pennsylvania, the lat- ter city having been his home for more On April 19, 1861, the 26th Pennsyl- vania Regiment passed through Balti- than a half a century. Dr. Cooper com- manded a company of militia. the Penn- more, enroute to Washington, and, while
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not suffering from mob attack so severely as the Massachusetts regiment, had rather an unpleasant experience. Shortly afterward Mr. Cooper enlisted in Com- pany C of that regiment, serving three years with the army of the Potomac- in victory or defeat, the greatest army ever assembled in this country. He was mustered out with the 26th Regiment in front of Independence Hall, June 14, 1864. The battle flags of the regiment are inscribed with the names of many of the historic battles of the war between the States: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville (where they lost one hundred men), Gettysburg (where they lost two hundred and six- teen men, and withstood a desperate charge), the Wilderness, and Spottsyl- vania Court House (where they captured two pieces of artillery). In all this glori- ous career, Mr. Cooper bore a part, es- caping the perils of war and returning to Media in safety.
He at once repurchased his interest in "The American," and never again laid down the pen or its editorial management until he joined his great commander. As his sons came of age they were admitted to the business, which was conducted until his death as T. V. Cooper & Sons, and is so continued in behalf of the es- tate. To these sons much of the busi- ness detail was committed, but the edi- torial page was never surrendered, al- though from 1869 until his death, Mr. Cooper was continuously in the service of State or Nation. In 1869 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Assembly, was defeated in 1871, and re- elected in 1872. In 1873 he was elected State Senator, re-elected continuously until 1889, and in 1878 was president of the Senate. In 1889 he was appointed by President Harrison, Collector of the Port of Philadelphia, serving four and a half
years. During this period he collected without the loss of a single dollar, the immense sum of $80,000,000. In 1900 he was again elected to the House of Assembly, and in 1902 was re-elected. During his long term as a legislator he served on many committees, held impor- tant chairmanships, and exerted person- ally and through the columns of "The American," a deep influence on legisla- tion and party policies. From 1881 to 1889 he was chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and in 1902 its treasurer. He was always a strong fig- ure in party councils and conventions ; had always the courage of his convic- tions, a born leader, yet always open to the advice of his associates, but not easily swerved. He was one of the old school of politicians that won his way with men without resort to the brutal tactics of the modern "boss," a term that implies none of the qualities of real leadership so richly possessed by Thomas V. Cooper. He was a believer in Metho- dism as a church of strength and power, his family, however, being Episcopalians. He was a member of George W. Bar- tram Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Bradbury Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Cooper married, in 1858, Ada F. Turner, who died in 1901, daughter of Frederick Turner, the pub- lisher, of Philadelphia. Children :
1. Ada S. T., married William T. Dick- enson, and has one child: Ada Virginia. 2. Frederick T. Cooper, born Septem- ber 14, 1865; educated in the private school of Miss Mary Walters, and Short- lidge's Academy at Media, and began newspaper work with the Chester "Eve- ning News," later was admitted to part- nership with his father in the manage- ment of the "Delaware County Ameri- can," and is now senior partner of the firm of T. V. Cooper & Sons, in active management of "The American," con- cededly the largest, most modernly
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equipped and successful of all Pennsyl- vania county weeklies. Its patronage is phenomenal, the paper going into nearly every home of Delaware, one of the rich- est counties in Eastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Sons of Veterans and of the Media Fire Depart- ment. He married, in 1890, Elizabeth A. Field, and has one son, Thomas V., a midshipman in the United States navy.
3. Percival V. Cooper, born November 13, 1867; educated in Shortlidge's Aca- demy and Philadelphia College of Phar- macy, later taking post-graduate courses there and at the University of Pennsyl- vania in chemistry. For ten years he was a partner with Mr. Dickenson in Media and Morton, Pennsylvania, in the drug business. In 1898 he was admitted to the firm of T. V. Cooper & Sons, and has ever since been connected with the publication of "The American." He is an enthusiast on the subject of fine poul- try, and is an expert authority on many of the fancy breeds. He was appointed justice of the peace, May 6, 1906, by Gov- ernor Pennypacker, and has twice been elected to that office by the people. He married, April 29, 1897, Emily J. Beale, and has a son, Donaldson B., born De- cember 16, 1898. Mr. Cooper is a mem- ber of the college fraternity, Zeta Phi; Brookhaven Grange, No. 731, Patrons of Husbandry; and the Sons of Veterans; he is a Republican in politics, and a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
4. Thomas V. Cooper, Jr., was born April 19, 1874; educated at Shortlidge's Academy, and the University of Penn- sylvania. He was early inducted into the newspaper business with his father and brothers, and is now junior member of T. V. Cooper & Sons. He married Adia R. Hitner, of Norristown, Pennsylvania. 5. Nina Virginia Cooper, born July 29, 1877, (deceased), married William Ash- mead Dyer, treasurer of the Cambridge Trust Company, of Chester.
6. Susan T. Cooper, born in June, 1880, married William E. Rice, of Philadelphia.
The Cooper brothers are all experi- enced newspaper men and, trained under the eye and direction of their honored father, have continued the business of T. V. Cooper & Sons most successfully, and have kept "The American" in the front rank of country weeklies, and setting an example of real worth to papers of much greater pretensions.
RAUCH, Charles Elwood,
Manufacturer, Humanitarian.
For many years the name of Rauch has been identified with the agricultural and business interests of Lebanon county, and for over half a century has been promi- nent in the business life of the city of Lebanon. Peter Rauch, grandfather of Charles Elwood Rauch, and a well-to-do farmer of Lebanon county, died in 1842.
His son, John B. Rauch, a man of business enterprise and energy, came to the city of Lebanon in 1857 and there erected a large store building on Tenth street, founding the prosperous and ex- tensive business that was later continued on an enlarged scale by his son, Charles E.
Charles Elwood, son of John B. Rauch and his first wife, Sarah Zimmerman, was born August 3, 1862, died April 3, 1907. His father, in addition to his mer- cantile business, was interested in bank- ing operations and in the Lebanon Manu- facturing Company, of which he was a director. After finishing his education, and graduating from Annville College, Charles E. was given a position in his father's business and an opportunity to become familiar with commercial and manufacturing methods. He was quick to grasp the fundamental principles upon which business success is founded, and became a very valuable assistant. He advanced rapidly, and at the death of his
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father succeeded him as head of the mer- cantile house. He prospered in business and again extended his line of activity, dealing largely in real estate, operating in association with Amos C. Zimmerman and John L. Rockly. They deal in lands in Brooklyn and New York, also in Leb- anon and Lebanon county properties.
Mr. Rauch possessed sound judgment, coupled with a quickness of decision, and rarely was mistaken in his opinion of the value or desirableness of an investment. He was remarkably successful and his too short life was one of constant prog- ress, his winning personality opening all hearts to him, and the confidence reposed in him was truly remarkable. He con- ducted his business operations on the plane of highest integrity, while the strictest morality marked his private life. Nor was he a man of mere money-mak- ing ambition. He loved his fellowman and was interested in those agencies that tend to the betterment of society ; a truly loyal, earnest worker for the public good. When the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation was established in Lebanon, he quickly saw that it could be made of great value to the youth of Lebanon, and gave the movement his hearty support. He was elected its first President, an office he held until his death, giving freely of his valuable time, business ex- perience and wealth. In religious faith he affiliated with the United Brethren, belonging to Trinity Church, Lebanon, and to its upbuilding and support con- tributed largely, serving as trustee and superintendent of the primary Sunday school. His public spirit was displayed in every direction and no good cause lacked his hearty support. He assisted in the organization of the Lebanon Coun- ty Historical Society, which was effected January 14, 1898, took a deep interest in its work and was a member until death. In politics he was a Republican, but de- plored certain influences at work within
his party, and in one campaign was the independent Republican candidate for the legislature.
Hle married, November 26, 1890, Eliza- beth A., daughter of Augustus and Eliza- beth B. (Seidel) Thompson, the former an iron manufacturer of Reading. Mrs. Rauch survives her husband, residing in Lebanon with one son, Charles E., born January 26, 1907. Their first child, C. Thompson Rauch, was born June 7, 1895, died March 11, 1896.
FREEMAN, John Miller,
Educator, Lawyer.
The Bar of Pittsburgh had its begin- ning before the American Revolution, and, distinguished from the earliest period of its existence, has grown in lus- tre with the passing years. In the front rank of its leaders of the present day stands John Miller Freeman, of the law firm of Watson & Freeman, one of the most prominent not only in the city and State, but in the country at large, and enjoying an international reputation. Mr. Free- man descends through both his parents from old Pennsylvania families the mem- bers of which, in the successive genera- tions, both as citizens and soldiers, ren- dered good service to the commonwealth.
Jacob Freeman, great-grandfather of John Miller Freeman, was born in Penn- sylvania, of English parents, and was one of the pioneers of Cook township, West- moreland county. He was a miller, and for many years operated what is now known as Weaver's Mills. He married Catherine Taylor, and their children were: Elizabeth, Philip, Mary, John, Jacob, Jane, Hannah ; George, mentioned below; Catherine, James, and Samuel.
George, son of Jacob and Catherine (Taylor) Freeman, was born February 24, 1805, and received a common school education. Ile learned the shoemaker's trade, but afterward turned his attention
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to agriculture, purchasing a farm in Cook township and making it his home during the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat, and a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Mr. Freeman married Catherine, daughter of John and Anna Mary (Braut) Cryly, who were of Pennsylvania German parentage, and the following children were born to them: Jacob; John, mentioned below; James, George, and Nancy Agnes. George Free- man, the father, died January 13, 1869, and his widow passed away April 1, 1875.
John, son of George and Catherine (Cryly) Freeman, was born January 26, 1832, and, like his father, was a farmer and shoemaker, having received, before entering upon an independent career, an excellent common school education. His political affiliations are with the Demo- crats, and he is a member of the Presby- terian church. He married, in 1860, Re- becca Guffey, whose ancestral record is appended to this sketch, and they became the parents of the following children : George A., James G., Sarah Jane; John Miller, mentioned below ; and Anna Lu- cinda. Mrs. Freeman, the mother of the family, died April 20, 1898, at Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Mr. Freeman died July 7, 1908, having relinquished active affairs, but as an influential and highly respected citizen taking an intelligent interest in matters of public moment.
John Miller, son of John and Rebecca (Guffey) Freeman, was born March 13, 1868, on a farm about one mile from Ligonier, Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, and after receiving his prepara- tory education in the common schools entered Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, graduating in the class of 1893 with the honorary degree of "cum laude." Be- fore entering college Mr. Freeman was for three years an instructor in the public schools, and after graduating presided for one year over the East Liberty Academy.
In 1894 Mr. Freeman began the study
of law with the firm of Watson & Mc- Cleave, and in October, 1806, was ad- mitted to the Allegheny county bar. The young lawyer speedily became noted for his aptitude in grappling with details, and for his accurate and keen perception and judgment, also for his quick appre- ciation of the points counsel were en- deavoring to establish, and for his invari- able success in getting to the root of the matter by questions during argument. In February, 1904, he associated himself with David T. Watson, under the firm name of Watson & Freeman, a connec- tion which has since been continuously maintained. The firm is a most impor- tant one, having conducted many cele- brated cases both in Pennsylvania and in other States, besides being engaged in litigation of international consequence. In the presentation of a case, Mr. Free- man's manner and language-quiet, sim- ple and forceful-are singularly effective, carrying far more weight both with jur- ies and the judiciary than the oratory which "says everything to the ear and nothing to the mind." The papers whichi he prepares are exceptionally strong, be- ing entirely destitute of weak points, and presenting the matter under consideration in a manner which admits of no dispute. He has a broad, comprehensive grasp of all questions that come before him, and is particularly fitted for affairs requiring executive and administrative ability.
As a citizen with exalted ideas of good government and civic virtue Mr. Free- man stands in the front rank. True to the political traditions of his family, he is a staunch Democrat, but has never consented to hold office, and is entirely free from partisanship. Taking a lively interest in that phase of politics which makes for the highest good of the com- munity, he has always given his influ- ence along those lines. Widely but unos- tentatiously charitable, no good work done in the name of philanthropy or re-
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ligion appeals to him in vain. He is so- cially popular and holds membership in the best known clubs. The personality of Mr. Freeman is that of the skilled ad- vocate-a profound thinker and a rapid and forceful executant, of unfailing self- reliance, indomitable perseverance and unusual capacity for judging the motives and merits of men. His countenance and bearing are an index to his charac- ter-firm, dignified and keenly observant, but at the same time indicative of the genial nature and gentle and courteous disposition which have drawn around him a host of steadfast friends.
Mr. Freeman married, May 31, 1913, Evelyn Mary, daughter of Mrs. K. Ock- leston Lippa, of Pittsburgh, the ceremony being performed in the Protestant Epis- copal Church of the Ascension, Rev. Dr. R. J. McFetridge officiating. The wedding was one of the social events of the season, and was followed by a reception at the home of Mrs. Lippa, where Mr. and Mrs. Freeman received the congratulations and good wishes of their many friends.
John Miller Freeman has won many laurels at the bar, and has long been numbered among the leaders of his pro- fession, but it is impossible to define the ultimate success of a man of his type who is now in the prime of life. The past gives promise of the future. What has been already accomplished is an earn- est of greater things to come.
(The Guffey Line)
William Guffey, founder of the Ameri- can branch of the family, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to the prov- ince of Pennsylvania, settling in Sewick- ley township, on land which was granted in 1769 by King George III. to James Baird, the consideration being £2,100. On this land William Guffey built a log cabin and made a clearing said to have been the first west of the Allegheny mountains. He was one of the members
of General Forbes' expedition, and died in Sewickley township, in January, 1783. The land on which he settled continued for generations to be the home of his descendants, being known as the old Guf- fey homestead.
James Guffey, son of William Guffey, was born in 1736, in Ireland, and was two years old when brought by his par- ents to this country. He married (first), Margaret, daughter of William and Mar- garet Campbell, and their children were: John, mentioned below; Polly, and Bell. Mrs. Guffey died in May, 1791, and Mr. Guffey married (second)- - Findley, becoming by this marriage the father of two children : Sarah, and William. James Guffey died March 9, 1806.
John, son of James and Margaret (Campbell) Guffey, was born August 6, 1764, in Sewickley township, and was for many years a justice of the peace, spend- ing his entire life in the neighborhood of his birthplace. Ile married (first) Agnes Lowry, born April 18, 1773, and their children were: James, mentioned below ; William, Anna, John, Robert, Joseph, Alexander, Margaret, Isabella, Mary, and Nancy. Mr. Guffey married (second) Rebecca Stewart, by whom he had two sons: Benjamin, and Stewart.
James, son of John and Agnes (Lowry) Guffey, was born December 15, 1791, on the homestead, and in the war of 1812 served in the cavalry troop under Gen- eral Joseph Markle, participating in the battle of Mississinewa. After his mar- riage he settled on a farm in Sewickley township, and built a log house which in 1833 was replaced by a brick residence, which was his home during the remain- der of his life. He married, April 20, 1813, Hannah, born March 6, 1791, daugh- ter of James and Mary P. Scott, and the following children were born to them: John, Mary P., James Scott, William, Zac- cheus, Joseph, Nancy L. and Margaret Ann (twins), Sarah Jane; and Rebecca,
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mentioned below. James Guffey died College. He then entered Princeton Uni- March 22, 1841, and his widow passed away June 10, 1878, on the homestead.
Rebecca, daughter of James and Han- nah (Scott) Guffey, was born February 27, 1836, in Sewickley township, and be- came the wife of John Freeman, as men- tioned above.
SLEMMONS, Rev. William E., D. D., Clergyman.
Success in a ministerial career is hard to estimate and harder still to either analyze or describe. Were success to be measured by the amount of salary re- ceived, then there are few successful ministers. If numbers added to the church roll be considered, then again the most faithful of ministers often sees little apparent result. The external grandeur or internal beauty of a church edifice can not be considered, as the costliest of churches may harbor the least spiritual of congregations. There is no fixed meas- ure of success, and the minister of God must be content to await the final sum- ming up of his credits before the Great Auditor. Yet the rewards are plentiful in this life for the faithful, and, as in the case of Rev. Dr. Slemmons, there are abundant evidences that his minis- terial work has been blessed with suc- cess.
He was born at Cadiz, Harrison coun- ty, Ohio, December 1, 1855, son of Sam- uel and Eliza (Hearn) Slemmons, the father born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, the mother in Jefferson county, Ohio. Grandfather Slemmons died in Washington county, and soon thereafter the family moved to Harrison county, Ohio, where Samuel Slemmons died in July, 1868, and his wife in 1880.
William E. Slemmons was reared in Harrison county, Ohio, and obtained his preliminary education in the public schools, and spent one year at Franklin
versity, whence he was graduated, class of 1877, and began the study of divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary, con- tinuing two years. His studies were then interrupted until 1886, the interim being devoted to newspaper work. In the lat- ter year he resumed study at Allegheny Theological Seminary, completeing his course in 1887. He was ordained a reg- ular minister of the Presbyterian church, and placed in charge of the Second Pres- byterian Church of Mercer, Pennsyl- vania. His work there met with the ap- probation of his congregation and he continued their pastor for nearly four- teen years, receiving many evidences that his work was blessed of God. From Mercer he was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Wash- ington, Pennsylvania, where he has been most happily located until the present date, 1912. Here, too, he is constantly reminded that his ministry has been a successful one. A loyal congregation has seconded his efforts in creating a living church, and together, pastor and people have been a compelling power for righteousness.
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