Albert R. Cooper, postmaster of Pesotum, has spent most of his life in this county as a practical farmer and also as a teacher, and is one of the dignified and influential leaders in his community.
Mr. Cooper was born in Pesotum Township October 7, 1870, a son of John A. and Mary L. (Prose) Cooper. His mother was born in Ohio. The father, a native of West Virginia, first went west to the State of Missouri and from there came to Champaign County in 1863. Locating on a farm in Pesotum Township, he went through the trials and adversities of the pioneers and finally accumulated an estate which enabled him to retire and enjoy life in comfort. The mother died in April, 1880. They had seven children: Minnie, wife of Frank Dowler, of Hindsboro, Illinois; Myra, who died in childhood; Albert E.; Laura, wife of Albert Tjossem, of Ellensburg, Washington; Curtis, of Decatur, Illinois; Chester, who died at the age of twenty-one; and Lucy, who died in infancy.
Albert R. Cooper grew up on his father’s farm in this county, attended the district schools, and in 1891 finished the course of the Tolono High School. For one year he was a student in the University of Illinois. Mr. Cooper did a splendid work as a teacher, his experience including two terms in Champaign County and four terms in Douglas County, Illinois. After giving up the work of the schoolroom he spent two years on a farm owned by his father in Douglas County, and then returned to the old homestead in Champaign County in 1900 and was a practical farmer on its acres until the fall of 1911.
Mr. Cooper took the civil service examination of the Federal Government and on September 8, 1910, was appointed postmaster of Pesotum under the Taft administration. Under the civil service rules he remains in the office and is giving an administration satisfactory to all the patrons. While living on the farm he was twice elected assessor of Pesotum Township, and has also served as director of the local schools.
June 29, 1898, Mr. Cooper married Miss Nettie Knapp. She was born at Arcola, Illinois. Their family consists of seven children, all living and all in the family circle. Their names are Eva Lena, Hattie Leah, John Maurice, Albert Ralph, Selma Edith, Paul Rex and Guy Anton.
Mr. Cooper is a Republican in politics. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and with his family worships in the United Brethren Church.
