James Cooper (Pennsylvania politician)

James Cooper (May 8, 1810 – March 28, 1863) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician, who served in the United States Congress.

James Cooper
United States Senator from Pennsylvania
In office March 4, 1849 – March 4, 1855
Preceded by	Simon Cameron
Succeeded by	William Bigler
Attorney General of Pennsylvania
In office July 31, 1848 – December 30, 1848
Governor	William F. Johnston
Preceded by	Benjamin Champneys
Succeeded by	Cornelius Darragh
Member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 12th district
In office March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1843
Preceded by	Daniel Sheffer
Succeeded by	Almon H. Read
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office 1840
Personal details
Born	(1810-05-08)May 8, 1810 Frederick County, Maryland, U.S.
Died	March 28, 1863(1863-03-28) (aged 52) Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Resting place	Mount Olivet Cemetery Frederick, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Whig
Spouse	Jane Mary Miller
Education	Mount St. Mary's University
Alma mater	Washington College
Profession	Politician, lawyer
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Branch/service	Union Army
Years of service	1861–1863
Rank	Brigadier General
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Early life

James Cooper was born on May 8, 1810, in Frederick County, Maryland. In 1829, he enrolled in Mount St. Mary's University, but moved to Washington College (later Washington & Jefferson College). He graduated from Washington College in 1832. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1834.^[1][2]

Career

Cooper started practicing law in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in the office of Thaddeus Stevens.^[1][2] He was elected as a Whig to the 26th and 27th congresses; serving from March 4, 1839, to March 3, 1843. In the 27th congress, he was chairman of the indian affairs committee.^[2] He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1843 to 1844 and in 1846 and 1848. He was speaker of the house for one term in 1847.^[1][2] In 1848, he was attorney general of Pennsylvania. He was elected to the United States Senate; serving from March 4, 1849, to March 3, 1855.^[2]

General James Cooper

When the American Civil War started, Cooper raised a brigade of volunteers in Maryland and was appointed brigadier general of volunteers in May 1861. His brigade served in Franz Sigel's division during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. In poor health, he was assigned as commandant of Camp Chase, a military staging, training and prison camp near Columbus, Ohio.^[1][2]

Personal life

Grave of Cooper at Mount Olivet Cemetery

Copper died on March 28, 1863, at the American Hotel in Columbus. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland.^[2][3]

See also

• American Civil War portal

• List of American Civil War generals (Union)
• Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives