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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.   These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM COOPER, Shoustown, was born in Findlay township, this county, Oct. 23, 1822, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Gaunce) Cooper, also natives of Findlay township. His grandfather, Robert Cooper, a Presbyterian from the north of Ireland, settled in Findlay township; he married, in Ireland, Nancy Bell. William Cooper’s maternal grandfather, Benjamin Gaunce, a native of Germany, also settled in Findlay township. Robert Cooper was a blacksmith and owner of a farm; his wife was a member of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of six sons and three daughters: Jane, who married Andrew Read; John; Mary A., married to George Eaton; Adeline, married to Edward McGinnis; William, Benjamin, James, Richard and Nicholas. William remained at home with his father until he was sixteen years old. The latter then moving to Portage county, Ohio, William went to live with his grandmother on the farm. He married, Sept. 19, 1851, Agnes Gaunce, who was born in Findlay township, this county, a daughter of Benjamin and Agnes (Cooper) Gaunce. After his marriage Mr. Cooper farmed in Findlay township until 1860, when he moved to Shoustown and teamed until boat-building ceased, since when he has been engaged in various pursuits. He and his wife have had five children: Kate K., at home; Agnes M., wife of William Hahn, in Shoustown; Lizzie M., with her uncle and aunt in Moon township; Emma B. and Delia E., at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are members of the Presbyterian Church. He was first a whig, and a republican since the organization of that party.

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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.

View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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