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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Rev. Marcellus T. COOPER 

Pages 493-494, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: BASSFORD, CANBY, COOPER, KNOWLES, LITTLETON, ROBINSON, RUTLEDEGE, WEESE] 

    
REV. MARCELLUS T. COOPER. Looking upon the present prosperity of Fulton County and Pleasant Township, it is almost impossible to realize that only a few years ago the country around here was little more than a wilderness with a heavy growth of timber and thick shrubs. Strange what energy and perseverance can accomplish, and how man in a brief space of time can transform a spot where Nature runs riot into a most habitable and attractive business center. Among the early settlers of this place, and of those who underwent all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life, were Levin and Eleanor Cooper, natives of Maryland and Delaware respectively. They reached Fulton County and for a time settled in the vicinity of Vermont, but afterward came to Pleasant Township, settling on section 21. Everything was in a crude state, and their dwelling place was a small log cabin but they worked faithfully and constantly to improve the land and bring about a happier state of affairs. The father was an exceedingly kind hearted man besides possessing much ability and was enabled thus to be of much benefit to the community. His popularity was great and at different times he held public offices, being for a number of years Justice of the Peace, and afterward Constable. His political sympathies were at one time with the Whigs, but he later became a member of the Republican party. Mr. Cooper died on the 28th of July, 1863, his death being caused by a runaway horse. His widow still resides at the old homestead, though in her eightieth year. To them were born twelve children, of whom the following are living: Mary E., wife of J. Rutledge, of Keokuk, Iowa; Margaret, now Mrs. William Robinson, of Smithfield, Ill.; Irena F., wife of N. R. Knowles, of Pleasant Township; William H., who makes his home in Iowa; Serepta, wife of J. W. Weese, of Lewistown Township; Theresa, who lives in Pleasant Township; Marcellus T., the subject of our sketch; Christopher T., of Havana, Ill.; K. Perry, and Philetus H., both of Pleasant Township. 
    
Marcellus Cooper was born in Fulton County n the 10th of June, 1846, and here grew to manhood, receiving only a common school education. He enlisted in the Civil War on the 24th of March, 1864, in Company H, Twenty-eight Illinois Infantry, and became a part of the Army of the Gulf under Gen. Canby. He was in the siege of Spanish Fort, and spent most of the time in garrison duty, spending nine months in Texas and nine months in Mississippi. He was honorably discharged at Brownsville, in the "Lone Star" State, on March 17, 1866, and returned to Illinois. 
    
Mr. Cooper was married October 28, 1869, to Miss Artha Littleton, a native of Fulton County, and daughter of W. A. and A. J. Littleton. Her birth occurred May 24, 1852, and she was the eldest of the five children born to her parents. Those living at the present date are: Mrs. Cooper; Susanna, who lives in Colorado, and Ella, wife of Samuel Bassford, of Colorado. 
    
To our subject and his wife has been born one son, William T., whose birth occurred September 12, 1870. Mr. Cooper owns one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land. For the past thirteen years he has been engaged in ministerial work, and at the present writing is pastor of the Christian Church at New Howard, this State. In politics he is in sympathy with the Republican party, and as an intelligent and kindly Christian man has won many warm friends.