Springwater - Every community has its valuable citizens - men and women, whose daily thought comes very close to centering on “what can I do today to better my own and my neighbors best interest and general welfare,” and whenever a community loses, through death or otherwise, unselfish devotion to their cause they keenly feel it, and in some manner aim to show it.
In the death of Mr. Henry K. Cooper of this town, on the 29th ult., this was plainly manifest by the many expressions of sorrow and sincere regret, and in quite a few instances their personal acquaintance and friendship dated back to 1851-2, when he surveyed and engineered the construction of the Erie railroad through this section of the country.
Mr. Cooper’s life from a lad on the farm to that of civil engineer in construction of sections of the Erie in this state, as well as other railroads in Ohio and Illnois, and later the construction of government railroads in the Southern states during the Civil war, and then chief departments in Washington, D. C., and then about thirty years ago back to civic far life, was one of fearless thought to do right - to do his duty. He scorned to be considered a reformer and occasionally said nature was a beautiful study and a good one to follow.
Those who knew him best knew that behind that dignified curtain was friendship when justified and perhaps too frequently when it was not.
As husband and father his devotion to family was one this life would be ever so much better if more generally taken as a model.
Mr. Cooper’s death occurred at 1230 p.m., almost immediately after eating his usual hearty dinner, after which he returned to his customary seat in the living room. Mrs. Bears, who was clearing the dinner table in the adjoining room heard his groans and hastened to him and then summoned the family, who came at once, but the apoplectic shock had done its work, for within about a minute and a half he was beyond help.
Mr. Cooper was born Oct. 21, 1830. The funeral was held Monday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. W. J. Brown of Avoca, formerly of Springwater, officiating.
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