CHAPTER XXIV
PETER COOPER
Mr. Peter Cooper, of New York, like his great contemporary,
George Stephenson, of England, may be justly looked upon as the
pioneer of the locomotive system in America. Undoubtedly he built
the first locomotive ever constructed here; and although (as we
have stated before) his little machine was not intended for practical
purposes or employment upon a railroad, yet it was designed to
demonstrate a fact then very much doubted, namely, the ability
of a locomotive to travel on the short-curved roads in this country,
which Mr. Cooper's successful performance set at rest forever.
But the Herald was antedated in another quarter. Mr. Cooper commenced
his career in life from the very foot of the ladder, and, like
him also, by his indomitable perseverance and industry, clambered
step by step from one round to another, ascending until he reached
the proud pinnacle of the topmost round, as a pioneer in the great
achievements of the locomotive, now an indispensable necessity
for the successful prosecution of trade and commerce throughout
the world.
"The history of a poor boy, without education or influential
friends, who, by honesty, industry, and persistence, raised himself
to a position of wealth and reputation, cannot but be interesting.
Such, if properly told, would be the life of Peter Coopera
man who, perhaps, as much as any other citizen of New York, has
left his mark on his associates, and has placed his name in imperishable
remembrance.
"He was born in the city of New York, February 12, 1791.
His maternal grandfather, John Campbell, was Mayor of New York,
and deputy quartermaster-general during the Revolutionary War,
in which his father also served as a lieutenant. Mr. Cooper's
father was a respectable hatter, and, as soon as young Cooper
was old enough to pick fur from the rabbit-skins used in making
hats, he was set to work. He had no opportunities for education,
and only attended school one or two months in his life. 'I have
never had any time to get an education,' he ones almost pathetically
remarked, 'and all that I know I have had to pick up as I went
along.'
"He remained in the hat business with his father until
he had mastered it in all its branches, and during much of the
time, after he had finished his labors for the day, he would work
until late at night with some carver's tools which his grandmother
gave him, in order to eke out his small wages.
"We, who go to our places of business at nine, or less,
and leave at five, can little realize the toil which falls to
the lot of mechanics. The Cooper Institute is the result of the
recollections of those early days, and was intended to help poor
boys in the same situation as he had been. Young Cooper afterward
went into the brewing business, at which he remained about two
years. He then served the usual apprenticeship to coach-making,
and finally Event into the cloth-shearing business with his brother.
For some time he succeeded very well, but after the War of 1812
his business was so injured by the introduction of foreign cloths
that he left it and began cabinet-making. He gave this up after
a while, and opened a grocery-store on the present site of the
Cooper Union, where he carried on a small retail trade for some
time. He finally bought a woollen factory with his savings, and
since that time has steadily prospered. He has since tried his
hand at other lands of business, but the largest part of his fortune
was gained by the manufacture of glue and by his ironworks. He
has shown a Yankee talent for undertaking different speculations,
as well as great shrewdness and prudence in conducting them.
"In 1830 he erected extensive iron-works at Canton, near
Baltimore, where he built from his own designs the first locomotive
ever turned out on this continent. He carried on large wire and
rolling mills at Trenton, New Jersey, and was the first person
to roll wrought-iron beams for fire-proof buildings. He has been
much interested in the progress of telegraphy, and has been an
officer in several leading telegraph associations
"It was while serving as an alderman, forty years ago,
that Mr. Cooper conceived the idea of the 'Cooper Union.' A fellow-officer
who had visited the Ecoles d'Irbdastree, in Paris, and been much
impressed with their utility and attractions, described them to
him and suggested that they would be well suited for introduction
into this country. The thought thus planted in Mr. Cooper's mind,
remained for long years, germinated, took root, and grew into
the accomplishment of his design.
"Let those who think it an easy thing to do good, ponder
the lesson taught by Mr. Cooper's experience in building the Institute.
The mere saving and donating the money for the purpose was but
a fraction of the work performed. Great difficulties had to be
overcome in designing so unique a building. Mr. Cooper was determined
that it should be fire-proof, consequently a separate foundry
had to be erected to forge the iron used in the construction;
when this was done, the estimated outlay fell short twenty-five
thousand dollars of the actual cost. Countless other obstacles
had to be overcome, and finally the Institute was completed, at
an immense cost over its estimated expense. In fact, it took all
Mr. Cooper's money to finish it, and he was comparatively a poor
man when all the bills were paid; but, as if to reward his sacrifices,
his business has since improved, until he is now richer than ever.
"What greater triumph could be desired, than to have accomplished
such a work as the Institute as it now stands, with its classes
for young men and women, its scientific, literary, art, and music
schools, reading-room, and other features, and what greater honor
could be desired than to go down to posterity as its founder?
Let the voices of those who have received its benefits be a peal
to the memory of its originator, and let his name share the glory
of their deeds!
"But nothing is complete in life without its disagreeable
side, and noble as have been Mr. Cooper's motives, and open as
were his plans in erecting this institution, not a few persons
have avowed their belief that it was all done with self-interested
views.
"After this, who can expect gratitude from the world?
" Mr. Cooper's personal appearance is familiar to every
New-Yorker. He is of middle stature, with silver locks and beard,
and a venerable and benevolent face. He is best known by his old
white hat, which, like Horace Greeley's, is characteristic of
the man. He commonly drives about in an old-fashioned one-horse
chaise, drawn by a steady mare, the whole turn-out looking as
if it belonged to some well-to-do farmer or retired tradesman,
rather than a millionaire.
"The key to Mr. Cooper's life and deeds is to be found
in those few words which we have heard from his own lips: 'I resolved
that I would repay every benefit which I had received by conferring
an equal benefit on some of my fellowmen.'
"His success in business has been greatly due to a faculty
for taking up enterprises which had been abandoned by other people,
and by dint of perseverance and hard making them succeed. In the
main, however, he has gained his ends by attending to his affairs
in person, and has always strictly followed Dr. Franklin's principle'The
eye of the master is North all of his servants.' Even at his present
advanced age he does not neglect this rule, but keeps a strict
eye upon the affairs of the Cooper Union."
We cannot leave Mr. Cooper, even now, without devoting a few
pages of our work to record his last act of generosity, benevolence,
and philanthropy, toward the meritorious poor and industrious
classes of our community, in his munificent bequest of one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars to be used in the establishment and
endowment of a library, where the hardworking and deserving classes,
who desire repose and relaxation after the toils of the day, can
seek recreation and information from the great store of useful
books he has placed within their reach, where all may participate
who feel a desire of so doing, and know that they are welcome.
On the day of this munificent bequest, Mr. Cooper reached his
eightieth birthday, February 12, 1871. On that occasion a most
interesting interview took place between the graduating class
of the Institute and their venerable benefactor and friend. We
trust that our readers, many of whom no doubt will be found among
the mechanics and working-class of the community, will not deem
it out of place here to record the doings on that most interesting
occasion.
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