Wm. Cooper, a resident and manufacturer of Holden Station, was born March 2, 1848, a son of Wm. and Margaret (Moat) Cooper, both of whom were natives of Luzgin, Ireland. The father was born about 1810, and died in Belfast, about 1852. The mother was born at Carrick Fugus about 1819, and is still living. Our subject received his education at Belfast, and immigrated to America in 1853. He worked at the carpenter's trade until the late war, when he entered the Confederate service, Company C, Twenty-fifth Tennessee Infantry. He was captured at Cumberland Gap, but paroled at Williamsburg, Ky., and rejoined his regiment at Mobile, Al. In 1863 he was captured at Rock Island, Tenn., but made his escape. Being unable to reach his old company he joined Carter's cavalry, and remained with them until the close of the war. He returned home and resumed his trade; he spent 1870 in Delaware, and the following year was engaged in the saw-mill business in Texas. A year later he came back to Tennessee and again worked at his trade. In 1874 he built a saw mill in this county, and in the last few years has extended his business into Alabama, North Carolina and Arkansas. In 1884 in partnership with his brother, John S. Cooper, he erected the Tennessee Planing Mills. He is also engaged in the general merchandise business at Holden Station December, 1884. December, 1885, tbe firm changed to Holden & Cooper. February 4, 1865, he married Mary Jane Witt, who died in 1876, a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and mother of one child, Lyla. Mr. Cooper's second marriage was with Amanda Webb, who has borne him one child, James W. Our subject is an enterprising, substantial and worthy citizen, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, also of the I.O.O.F. He is a Chapter Mason and a Democrat.
J. S. Cooper, a junior partner in the Tennessee Saw & Planing Mill Company, was born in Malone County, Ireland, June 28, 1848. His parents, Wm. and Margaret (Moat) Cooper, were also natives of Ireland. The father died at Belfast about 1852. The mother
was born about 1821 and immigrated to the United States in 1855, first locating in the State of New York, and remaining about two years. After spending some time in Maryland she moved in 1858 to Jamestown, Tenn., and one year later to White County, where the entire family now reside. The subject of this sketch received his education principally at Bird College. He took a law course at the Cumberland University, and began the practice of law in the early part of 1872. Two years later he engaged in school-teaching, which he carried on quite successfully for eight and a half years, seven of which he taught at Snow Creek Academy. In 1881 he entered into his present business with his brother William, in which he has been very prosperous. He is a worthy, substantial citizen and self-made man, whose education was acquired, and property accumulated by his own efforts. He is a stanch Democrat. In June, 1880, he was married to Miss Belle, daughter of James and Elizabeth High, of Carthage, Tenn. Three children have been born to their union: Delma, Vernon and Willie Landis.
Malachi A. Cummings was born July 12, 1854. He is of Irish and Scotch origin. His grandfather, Joseph Cummings, of Irish descent, emigrated from near Richmond, Va., to this State over 100 years ago. He served in the Revolutionary war and was with Washington at the surrender of Cornwallis, and his maternal grandfather, William Dunny of Scotch descent, came from Kentucky to this State, both settling at a place now known as Cummingville in Van Buren County, then White County. His grandparents lived to
an extreme old age. His father, W. B. Cummings, was born May 11, 1810, and filled the different offices of sheriff, circuit court clerk and county judge in his county with credit and honor. After the war he read law and in 1868 was admitted to the bar, and died October 22, 1884. Malachi was raised on the farm and after working through crop times, would go to school in the neighborhood in the fall. He received his principal education at Burritt College, paying for his tuition part of the time by sweeping the college building. In 1875 he attended the law school of Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tenn., and graduated in 1875, and was duly licensed to practice in all the courts of Tennessee. While attending the law school he received the honor of representing the Philomatian society as orator at the commencement exercises. After staying at Spencer and Sparta awhile he permanently located at Sparta, where he is now engaged in the practice of his profession.
L. D. Cunningham, a well known farmer and stock raiser of the Tenth District, was born in White County, July 2, 1837, the youngest child of Edmond and Nancy (Anderson) Cunningham. The father was born in Virginia June 5, 1792, and married November 11,
1814. He came to White County about 1810, and engaged in farming, stock raising and making brandy and whisky. He was a Whig and an industrious, thrifty man. He accumulated considerable property. His death occurred June 2, 1858. The mother was born May 4, 1795. They were of Scotch-Irish descent, both faithful members of the Baptist Church. Our subject spent his early days on the farm, receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1857 or 1858 he began agricultural pursuits on his own responsibility. In 1863 he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-eighth Tennessee Infantry, under Gen. Cheatham. He took part in several battles, one of which was at Murfreesboro. He was a brave and gallant soldier. In 1860 he married Martha, daughter of John and Hannah (Moore) Mitchell, of White County. Mrs. Cunningham died November 3, 1872. February 14, 1874, our subject wedded America, daughter of Jesse and J. (Shockley) Dodson, of White County. To this union four sons and two daughters have been born, two sons deceased. Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Cunningham is a believer in religion but is not connected with any church. He is a stanch Democrat.
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