J. S. Cooper, a junior partner in the Tennessee Saw & Planing Mill Company, was born in Malone County, Ireland, June 28, 1848. His parents, Wm. and Margaret (Moat) Cooper, were also natives of Ireland. The father died at Belfast about 1852. The mother was born about 1821 and immigrated to the United States in 1855, first locating in the State of New York, and remaining about two years. After spending some time in Maryland she moved in 1858 to Jamestown, Tenn., and one year later to White County, where the entire family now reside. The subject of this sketch received his education principally at Bird College. He took a law course at the Cumberland University, and began the practice of law in the early part of 1872. Two years later he engaged in school-teaching, which he carried on quite successfully for eight and a half years, seven of which he taught at Snow Creek Academy. In 1881 he entered into his present business with his brother William, in which he has been very prosperous. He is a worthy, substantial citizen and self-made man, whose education was acquired, and property accumulated by his own efforts. He is a stanch Democrat. In June, 1880, he was married to Miss Belle, daughter of James and Elizabeth High, of Carthage, Tenn. Three children have been born to their union: Delma, Vernon and Willie Landis.

Source:   Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of the Counties of White, Warren, Coffee, DeKalb, and Cannon, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.