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Cooper, John, president of the High Priests' quorum in the Millard Stake of Zion, Utah, is a son of James Cooper and Ann North and was born May 27, 1834 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. He was baptized Nov. 5, 1849, by Elder Langley Algood, was ordained a Priest in 1851, an Elder in 1852, a Seventy in September, 1857, by Hyrum Mace, and a High Priest in February, 1894, by Francis M. Lyman. He labored as a missionary in 1854-55 in England, mostly in the Leicester and Sheffield conferences. He filled another mission to England in 1880-82. At that time he traveled in and presided over the Leeds, Nottingham and London conferences. Among the many positions filled by him at home may be mentioned that of president of Seventies, superintendent of Sunday school, choir leader, Ward clerk, Ward teacher and home missionary. He has married three wives, with whom he has had sixteen children, fourteen of whom are still alive. Of civil offices Elder Cooper has served as a member of the city council in Fillmore, water master, deputy county clerk, county treasurer, member of the Fillmore school board etc. Otherwise he is a boot and shoemaker by trade and has also followed farming and gardening. His permanent residence is in Fillmore, Millard county. In 1856 he was detailed to meet and follow up the belated hand-cart companies. While out on this expedition he was called to stop at the Devil's Gate, together with nineteen others, to protect the property of the emigrating Saints. He remained there all winter. As a member of the Nauvoo Legion he did military duty during the Blackhawk War and holds a medal for bravery during his Indian campaigns.
Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4 vols. Salt Lake City 2:144 |
Biographies 
