James Garland Cooper1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 16875, (1868 - 1956)
FatherRobert James Cooper4,5,6 (10 Dec 1822 - 23 Jun 1896)
MotherLucy Ann Ragdale4,7,6 (27 Oct 1837 - 29 Jul 1922)

Key Events:

Birth: 5 Sep 1868, Lafayette, Kentucky8,9,10
Marriage: 30 Oct 1895, 2001 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, Stella McNeill (23 Sep 1871 - Apr 1970)11,12
Death: 195613
Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky14
ChartsDescendants of Dr. Davis Green Tuck
Descendants of David Dutt/Toot

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     James Garland Cooper was born on 5 Sep 1868 in Lafayette, Kentucky.8,9,10
     He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Lafayette, Christian Co., Kentucky, in the household of his parents, Robert James Cooper and Lucy Ann Ragdale.15 He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Christian Co., Kentucky, in the household of his parents.5
     He generally used his middle name, Garland, as an adult.3,16,17

Embarking on a Wide-Ranging Career --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     He lived in Louisville, Kentucky for a time before he married. In 1894 he was working there as a clerk for Bareford, Lawson & Decker, a wholesale millinery firm at 533 W. Main St..18
     James married Stella McNeill, daughter of Malcom M. McNeill and Eliza M. Burke, on 30 Oct 1895 at the home of her parents, 2001 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, with Rev. Dr. Simon McPherson of the Second Presbyterian Church officating.11,12
     James and Stella settled in Louisville after their marriage, where their first daughter was born.19 They moved to Hopkinsville before 1900. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, in the household of his brother Robert and his wife, Nellie Crider.20
     He was a tobacconist in 1900. In early 1904 he accepted a position with the Provident Savings Life Insurance Company, in charge of the agencies in surrounding towns.21,22
     James was appointed city assessor for Hopkinsville, effective 1 Jan 1906, for a two year term. The salary for the office was changed from $300 to 1½% of the property assessed. He began his annual assessment of property on 2 Apr 1906. A newspaper article about that stated "He will make the most thorough and painstaking canvass of the city ever made ... and is expected to find a good deal of property subject to taxation that has heretofore been overlooked." An article dated 26 May reported he had completed his work and "found much property not heretofore listed."23,24,25

Moving to Nashville --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     James and Stella moved to Nashville by 1908, when they were living at 336 20th Ave. North.26 They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee, at 1920 West End Ave., enumerated 18 Apr 1910, reporting they were renting their home, apparently an apartment in a multi-unit building. Their daughter Mildred was listed as living with them, as were Sam B. Cowder and Emerson Lucas, also agents for the railroad.1
     In Nashville he worked for the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway, reporting in 1910 he was working in the a claims department. In 1913 he became a manufacturer's agent, with offices in the First National Bank building. He was representing companies featuring ostrich feathers and novelties, ladies tailored hats, including the "well known" "Smart Set" hats, etc. in a territory including Tennessee and all states south, selling to merchants only.27,28,29
     James and Stella returned to Hopkinsville by 1914, when they were living at 814 S. Main St..30 They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky, at 210 West 1st St., enumerated 6 Jan 1920, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their daughter Mildred was listed as living with them.17
     He was a fire insurance agent when he first returned to Hopkinsville, advertising heavily in the 1914 city directory. By 1916 he had become a travel agent. By 1920 he had returned to being a tobacconist.31,32

Moving to New York --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     James and Stella moved to New York before 1930. They appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of New York, Queens Co., New York, at 4222 Ketcham St., enumerated 16 Apr 1930, reporting that they were renting their apartment, in a building of over 100 units, for $110 per month, and did not own a radio. Her sister Willie was listed as living with them. They may have been living in one of the larger units in the building. At least they were paying the highest rent reported by anyone in the building, the same as reported for only three other apartments.33
     James and Stella appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of New York, New York Co., New York, at 853 Riverside Dr., enumerated 9 Apr 1940, reporting they were renting their apartment, in a building with over 40 units, for $68 per month.34
     By 1930 he was selling securities.35 He was a manager for concert artists by 1940. That year he reported he had worked 45 hours the last week of March, and 52 weeks the prior year, earning $875 in 1940.36
     James died in 1956.13 He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Hopkinsville, Christian Co., Kentucky.14

Children:
     Children with Stella McNeill:

  • Mildred MacNeill Cooper37 (11 Oct 1896 - 19 Oct 1896)
  • Mildred MacNeill Cooper1,17,37 (17 Mar 1903 - 22 Jun 1990)

Citations

  1. [S8738] James G. Cooper household, 1910 U.S. Census, Davidson Co., Tennessee.
  2. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for James Garland Cooper, Soc. Sec. No.119-03-7112.
  3. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 88551489, James Garland Cooper, includes tombstone photo showing name as J. Garland Cooper.
  4. [S8729] Robt. J. Cooper household, 1870 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  5. [S8731] Bob Cooper household, 1880 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky.
  6. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for James Garland Cooper, Soc. Sec. No. 119-03-7112.
  7. [S8731] Bob Cooper household, 1880 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky, shows him as the son of her husband.
  8. [S8729] Robt. J. Cooper household, 1870 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky, shows age 2 and state.
  9. [S8746] Emmett Cooper household, 1900 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky, shows month, year, age 32, and state.
  10. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for James Garland Cooper, Soc. Sec. No.119-03-7112, shows date, town, and state.
  11. [S9078] "Society," The Chicago Daily Tribune, 31 Oct 1895, shows last evening, address, and officiant.
  12. [S8746] Emmett Cooper household, 1900 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky, shows married 4 years.
  13. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 88551489, James Garland Cooper, shows year and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  14. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 88551489, James Garland Cooper, includes tombstone photo.
  15. [S8729] Robt. J. Cooper household, 1870 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky.
  16. [S8746] Emmett Cooper household, 1900 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky, shows name as Garland Cooper.
  17. [S9063] Garland Cooper household, 1920 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky.
  18. [S8789] Carson's Director of the City of Louisville, 1894, pg 285, 133.
  19. [S9078] "Society," The Chicago Daily Tribune, 31 Oct 1895, shows they would be at home in Louisville after a trip.
  20. [S8746] Emmett Cooper household, 1900 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky.
  21. [S9068] "Goes Into Insurance Business," The Hopkinsville Kentuckian, 2 Feb 1904.
  22. [S8746] Emmett Cooper household, 1900 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as tobacconist.
  23. [S9069] "New Council Elect Officers," The Hopkinsville Kentuckian, 7 Dec 1905.
  24. [S9070] "Making Tax Lists," The Hopkinsville Kentuckian, 5 Apr 1906.
  25. [S9071] "Tax List Ready and Will be Taken up Monday," The Hopkinsville Kentuckian, 26 May 1906.
  26. [S4124] Nashville City Directory, 1908, pg 318.
  27. [S9067] "Opens Offices in First Nat'l Bank," Nashville Tennessean and The Nashville American, 10 Aug 1913.
  28. [S8738] James G. Cooper household, 1910 U.S. Census, Davidson Co., Tennessee, shows occupation as claim department, industry as railroad.
  29. [S4124] Nashville City Directory, 1908, pg 318, shows railroad and occupation as clerk; 1914, pg 208.
  30. [S9066] Carson's Directory of the City of Hopkinsville, Ky, 1914, pg 93.
  31. [S9066] Carson's Directory of the City of Hopkinsville, Ky, 1914, pg 93, with ads on "side lines," the edges of pages, and a half-page add on page D; 1916, pg 99.
  32. [S9063] Garland Cooper household, 1920 U.S. Census, Christian Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as tobacunist, industry as buyer.
  33. [S9064] Garland Cooper household, 1930 U.S. Census, Queens Co., New York.
  34. [S9065] Garland Cooper household, 1940 U.S. Census, New York Co., New York.
  35. [S9064] Garland Cooper household, 1930 U.S. Census, Queens Co., New York, shows occupation as salesman, industry as securities.
  36. [S9064] Garland Cooper household, 1930 U.S. Census, Queens Co., New York, shows occupation as mgr for concert artists, industry as entertainment.
  37. [S1225] Anderson, "Rebecca Tuck," e-mail to author, 11 Jun 2007.